JASPER, Texas — Healthcare is expanding in Jasper County with the grand opening of Total Care at the Lake, which is one of five facilities the Jasper Hospital District has been working to establish in the area.
The newly renovated clinic, which had been closed for more than a year after its previous doctor left, now features nine exam rooms, a laboratory and an emergency trauma room.
Firefighters, patients, the Jasper Chamber of Commerce and medical staff gathered Thursday to celebrate the facility, which will serve both children and adults.
Jasper County healthcare providers say rural healthcare options have been declining over the years.
"It's good to have the opportunities to bring these local providers, many of whom live here but don't work here, back to Jasper. This is their community," said Jasper Hospital District Board Member James Gunter.
Physicians at Total Care at the Lake say they're happy to bridge the gap and serve the rural community of Brookeland.
"Lots of our patients are older patients and do not drive, or do not like to drive in bigger cities," said Terri Cheeley, a physician assistant at Total Care at the Lake. "And so, a lot of times, we end up managing things that, if you were in a city, you would probably be seeing a specialist for."
Access to healthcare can be the deciding factor on whether people decide to move to more rural areas like Jasper.
The primary care facility will offer everything from routine exams to emergency care.
Residents who live on the outskirts of Jasper say they are happy to finally have a clinic close to home.
"It is very fulfilling as a career to be able to bring health care to those who don't have tons of access to healthcare," said Cheeley.
For longtime residents like Brenda Jobe, who has lived in the Brookeland community for 45 years, the reopening brings healthcare closer to home.
"When she opened back up five minutes from my house I was like, 'I will be your first patient,'" said Jobe. "It feels like a community when you have your own care, local care, but somebody who lives in your community. I think it's important for our neighborhood."
Another facility, Primary Care Pavilion in Jasper, will celebrate its grand opening Friday.
"Please come check us out and come talk to us and my staff," said Dr. Richard Pham, clinical director of Primary Care Pavilion. "I have a team that is excellent and our goal, as always, has been to focus on the care in the need for our patients."
The two facilities have been renovated to fit the needs of the community, and physicians at both clinics will serve children and adults.
"I'm very proud of our staff and all of our support staff and the hospital board and all that they've done to kind of get things going," said Cheeley. "And I'm so proud of our community for being patient with us."
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.