New health center breaks ground in Fortuna Foothills

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Residents in the Fortuna Foothills area will soon have piece of mind knowing a healthcare facility is closer to home. Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has announced plans to open up a multifaceted complex with an emergency department and several other services.

YRMC says residents have voiced the desire for many years now. The goal is to bring a higher level of coordinated care to Foothills and East County residents.

The new facility is in between the Frys Food and Drug store and the current YRMC walk-in clinic building on Frontage road.

YRMC admitted residents in the area have very few options for healthcare - that’s why they're expanding.

Rock Jensen is one of several workers involved in the planning stages.

“There are some small clinics that try and provide those services as best they can to the community but I think this will be the first one that actually has a free-standing ed that when you can get the same services that you would if you were coming to the hospital.”

The emergency department will have close to 20 observation and treatment rooms and two trauma rooms for more severe incidents.

“In addition, we'll have an urgent care," Jensen said. "Laboratories services that will support it, as well as imaging services that will support above those clinics so you break an arm you can come in, you can get a, an x-ray or MRI or something right there. You don't have to go somewhere else to have those imaging services done," he added.

This project will consolidate many YRMC stand-alone facilities across Yuma and move staff to the new complex.

“We will utilize existing staffing we will also be increasing staffing as well, in regards to nurse staffing or technician staffing,” Jensen explained.

The hospital says it’s too soon to figure out just how many people they may hire but there will be a need for increased staffing.

Dr. Adil Baig currently serves as medical director for the walk-in clinic and is designing the new two-story building.

“It kinda was an extensive collaboration of all these people coming together and trying to create a building that was not only functional and providing many services but also a nice looking building as well,” Dr. Baig said.

He hopes the convenience factor for locals will make all the difference.

“One of the biggest things we got and feedback was that, you know people that live out here. It's not very convenient for them to be driving into the town for routine doctor's appointments,” Dr. Baig replied.