For Immediate Release Contact: Ellen Howe

April 18, 2002 964-2767

Apoyo Clinic relocating to hospital campus.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Apoyo clinic, conducted the first Saturday of the month is moving to the offices of Kittitas Valley Primary Care Associates on the hospital campus. The first clinic at the new location will be held May 4 from 9:00 – 12:00. Dr. Mark Larson will continue to provide medical services during these hours.

Primary Care Associates is located in the Mediplex to the south east of the main hospital entrance on Chestnut Street. The clinic was previously located at Central Washington University Boiler plant. The food and clothing bank will continue to be operated out of the boiler plant location between Seventh and Eight Avenues east.

Apoyo, which means support or help in Spanish, stands for Allied People Offering Year-Round Outreach. Apoyo serves low-income people without medical insurance or other types of medical coverage.

Kittitas Valley Community Hospital Administrator Eric Jensen signed a contract with Apoyo and Dr. Larson to provide the services on the hospital campus.

“We wanted to provide an appropriate space for people to be seen by a physician and we felt that we could do that easily at Primary Care Associates. KVCH is a public organization so our facilities are community owned. Since KVCH operates Primary Care Associates, this is an appropriate use of our physician offices,” Jensen said.

Rhonda Holden, RN, BSN Nurse Manager, Community Health Services of the Kittitas County Health Department is involved in addressing countywide healthcare access issues. “APOYO is very grateful to Mr. Jensen and the KVCH Board of Directors for allowing us to utilize their building for APOYO clinic services.  The dedication they have shown in helping to assure access to healthcare should be commended," she said.

For more information on Apoyo services call 933-2787 or e-mail APOYO@freeclinic.net

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