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| Clinic needs state permits so opening delayed |
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| Written by Amanda Druce |
| Friday, 24 October 2008 16:21 |
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The Sierra Vista Regional Health Center has put the opening of the Tombstone Family Health Clinic on hold as they wait for a permit from the state, according to Tombstone City Clerk George Barnes. SVRHC is pushing back the opening date to what could be as far away as Jan. 1, according to Linda Kamrowski, marketing and public relations director at SVRHC.
“I don’t know where or what the hold up is,” Kamrowski said. According to previous reports, the Tombstone Family Health Clinic was originally scheduled to open on Oct. 19, but due to the long process of obtaining the permit, the opening date is now unknown. “There is no firm plan or deadline,” Kamrowski said. “We don’t want to say anything until we have a clear idea ourselves.” The delay isn’t a grave concern for city officials. “We don’t anticipate it as a problem but it takes a while,” said Barnes. “I don’t have an update on time but it is in the process of being reviewed.” According to Barnes, the clinic can’t operate without a state permit. The Tombstone Family Health Clinic is using the spare time to update the building with new carpeting and a paint job. Staff and doctors will not be hired until the permit is received, Kamrowski said. Carol Turner moved to Tombstone two weeks ago and is interested in working at the Tombstone Family Health Clinic. Turner, 64, is a nurse who can’t wait until the clinic opens. Andrea Grimaldi, an employee at the Tombstone Gambler, said she’s not bothered about the delay in the clinic’s opening and feels it’s normal for Tombstone to fall behind. “I hate to say it, but sometimes I feel like we are in the 1800s, “ she said. Grimaldi has had two recent accidents where the EMT has had to come from Sierra Vista. “This way we wont take up the time of the ambulances so they can be used for emergencies,” she said. “To have a health clinic is great for the tourists,” Grimaldi said. Tom Olah, a self-employed construction worker, said that he worries about finding care in the event of an accident. “Being in construction, I am always worried something might happen,” said Olah. Randy Davis of Big Iron Shooting Gallery is not expecting to use the clinic at all. Davis is from Los Angeles where he served on the LAPD. “I am still on the LAPD health plan and I wouldn’t use the clinic anyways,” Davis said. Davis uses the University Medical Center in Tucson for emergencies and doctor appointments every other month, he said. “It gives me an excuse to get out of town,” Davis added. Barnes is not upset by the move City Hall had to make in order for the Tombstone Family Health Clinic to take over their building located at 7 N. San Diego St. “We are here in the new building and happy,” he said. According to Barnes, the San Diego Street building was originally constructed for a health clinic so it is just a waiting game now. “Good things come to those who wait,” Barnes said. 
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