Story by Joycelyne Fadojutimi

Wellness Pointe, a Federally Qualified Health Clinic has officially opened its south Longview Clinic at 2430 South High Street, located between the Dollar Store and Texas Work Force Center. The organization marked the event with a Longview Metro Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting.

The south Longview clinic is staffed with a very experienced Nurse Practitioner, Marcy Hall. Other staff members include Chris Rodriguez, Maria Moriera, Maria Gelacio and Aydee Mancera.

The hours of operation is from Monday to Thursday, 7:00am to 6:00 pm. According to Chris Rodriguez, the Clinic’s nurse, these hours give allowances for those working to still make use of the clinic when they get off work.

The staff can see anyone from 4 to 65 years of age.

The clinic offers physical exams

Checks blood pressure

Checks for diabetes

Treat colds, coughs and other ailments.

Have family medicine services which includes providing care for pediatrics and obstetrical/gynecological patients.

And plans to offer more services in the near future.

First and foremost, no-one is turned away because of the inability to pay.

For further information, please go by the clinic or call 903-212-4885.

Wellness Pointe management, several board members and elected officials took part in the ribbon cutting. They include: Wellness Pointe CEO Chad Jones, Wellness Pointe business development director Jeff Brown, and Wellness Point HR director Hope Echols.

Board members in attendance: Jim Kendrick, Barbara Smith, Deena Shelton, Mary Ann Miller, John Green, Matt Tooker, Noe Zapata, Joycelyne Fadojutimi.

Elected officials: Gregg County Judge Bill Stout; City Councilwoman Kasha Williams, Councilman Richard Manley, and Councilman Gary Smith.

Longview Metro Chamber of Commerce were represented by: Tony Powell, Branden Johnson, NAACP president and Metro Chamber, and Gregg Muckleroy.

Interested citizen: Steven Self, Self Insurance Agency.

Ms. Williams in whose district the clinic is located was thrilled because of the services Wellness Pointe will provide for her constituents. “This is needed in our community. People do not have to go far to get the medical care they need. We appreciate them doing this.” In addition, “People from Carthage and surrounding areas including Lakeport and Tatum who travel to Longview for other services can make use of the clinic on their way coming into town.”

Board member Noe Zapata was in high spirits. “I am very pleased because the clinic will add psychiatric services in the future.” But, he is not the only one in high spirits.

Board member and CEO of Longview Regional Medical Center is elated. He described it thus: “… a great day with good things happening.”

According to Wellness Pointe CEO Chad Jones, his organization was prompted to open the clinic because south Longview was significantly,   under-served in regards to medical care. Most important of all, there was no other provider in south Longview willing to accept patients regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. “That is the role that we knew, we could fill in our endeavor to make high quality healthcare services available to anybody in need.”

It is important to note, Wellness Pointe’s goal for opening this clinic is to make high quality affordable healthcare more accessible to the neighborhood; regardless of income, insurance status, or ability to pay.

Additionally, Jones envisions growth for Wellness Pointe. “The south Longview clinic will likely expand to bring in another physician in Summer 2015 based on patient need.”

At this time, Wellness Pointe is completing some renovations at its main campus on Highway 80. This will enable the organization to offer Optometry services and an optical department beginning January 2015.

But that is not all, more services are in the works and will be announced at the appropriate time.