New Clinic Provides Neighborhood Health Services at Southern Hills

January 7, 2010 – Members of the community can find a medical home at a new United Neighborhood Health Services (UNHS) clinic on the Southern Hills Medical Center campus. The hospital and UNHS are partnering to help area residents access primary care without regard to their income or insurance.

Opened December 22, 2009, the Wallace Road Family Clinic offers obstetrics, gynecology, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Clinic staff will help patients manage their health, hoping to address chronic conditions before they develop into life-threatening issues.

"Having a UNHS clinic on Southern Hills' campus is a real groundbreaking model of care and demonstrates how community health centers and hospitals can work together to improve access to care, improve the health of the community and lower healthcare costs," said Mary Bufwack, executive director at United Neighborhood Health Services.

Patients who visit Southern Hills Medical Center’s emergency department with a non-emergent condition can work with the United Neighborhood Health Services patient advocate to make a smooth transition to the clinic for care.

“Many people who have lost their jobs or have no health insurance are challenged to get the medical care they need,” said Thomas Ozburn, chief executive officer at Southern Hills Medical Center. “United Neighborhood Health Services makes these services available in the community to help people manage their health concerns before they become emergencies. This partnership is an extension of our mission to care for and improve human life.”

Located in Suite B-307 at 395 Wallace Road, Wallace Road Family Clinic hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Patients requiring non-emergent services after the clinic has closed will be seen the next business day. While appointments can be made, walk-ins will be welcome. Private insurance and TennCare will be accepted; uninsured individuals will pay on a sliding fee scale. Bilingual services will be available on site.

Southern Hills Medical Center is donating the medical office space for the new clinic.

About United Neighborhood Health Services

United Neighborhood Health Services improves the health and quality of life for infants, children, teens, adults and seniors of Nashville/Davidson County and Middle Tennessee by providing health services and programs and promoting health policies that prevent and control disease, injury and disability.

Through its six neighborhood clinics, three school clinics and mobile clinic, UNHS has grown to be the family doctor for over 25,000 children and adults. Doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, behavioral health specialists and dentists provide comprehensive, quality, affordable care. Health educators work with teens, pregnant women and people with diabetes.

Founded in 1976, UNHS is a private, non-profit network of primary care clinics and health programs based in Nashville, Tenn. dedicated to building a community that guarantees that everyone, without regard to their income or insurance, has quality health care that meets their individual needs.

UNHS will have 19 locations by January 2010, including high school clinics and the Downtown Clinic for Homeless. For a complete list, visit UnitedNeighborhood.org/locations.php.

For more information about Southern Hills Medical Center, call TriStar MedLineSM at 615-342-1919 or go to TriStarHealth.com.