New medical facility opens in Coarsegold

COARSEGOLD, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new medical facility just opened in Coarsegold, and it could make a big difference for Madera County residents seeking health care.

"We were so excited when we saw this was going to be a medical clinic here because it's only 17 miles, otherwise I would go to Fresno, Which is 100 mile round trip," said Barbara Spring of Raymond, new patient.

Springs lives west of Coarsegold and says an ordinary doctor's visit used to be an all day trip. Now she's thankful when she's filling sick, she has someone nearby to go.

Physicians Assistant Iqbal Sodha says the facility is offering everyday care that residents need. "We've been seeing pediatrics, we've been seeing retired community members, who have challenges because of the lack access to health care in the community."

Longtime resident and clinic employee Chrissy Boland Buckles says the new clinic helps residents on their road to recovery. "They will either drive to Fresno which is 30-45 minutes one way or they'll drive to Oakhurst where there has been a lot of talk about a lot of wait time in the medical doctors offices."

Resident Tim Underwood stopped by to learn more about the clinic. He says since the town's old hardware store was remodeled into a clinic and a pharmacy, residents are noticing the changes. "They've just flip flopped this place really. When they first started opening, the locals were saying, 'What do they got this going down here for?' and I sit there in the coffee shop and watch the locals coming in there like crazy."

In its first week, staff here at the Coarsegold Medical Clinic say they've seen a good number of patients. They're hoping to see even more people in the surrounding community in the future. For now the clinic is open, Monday through Friday. Clinic staff members say if they continue to expand, in the future, they'd like to add a lab and x-ray facility.