SWLA Center for Health Services celebrates new J.D. Clifton site and mobile unit

Lake Charles, LA (KPLC) - It’s a sign that sits right in front of J.D. Clifton Elementary School from the SWLA Center for Health Services, welcoming its pediatric patients.

“We’re out celebrating the opening of a partnership between [the] Calcasieu Parish School Board and SWLA Health Center for Health Services in providing clinic space at this location where we’ll be able to see the kids over here at the school and also kids from the other schools,” SWLA Center for Health Services Chief Executive Officer William Brent III said.

A partnership Brent says comes after the center’s 35,000 square foot medical facility was destroyed.

“We’ve had to do before opening up this site. We have a lot of Telehealth visits,” Brent said. “Telehealth visits were good in a sense, but at some point, you know, you have to be able to come in and physically see a provider.”

And it’s something patients can now do.

Wednesday, the center celebrated its new J.D. Clifton site with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This is proven health outcomes for both students and communities,” Calcasieu Parish School Board Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus said. “So, we’re very excited to have them here. It’s gonna provide an opportunity for people to come in and receive care - quick care for things they need based on their health needs. For our students who are here as well.”

But that wasn’t the only thing the SWLA Center for Health Services celebrated on Wednesday.

“We’re cutting the ribbon on our first mobile unit,” Director of Community Affairs Diana Ross said. “And this mobile unit will allow us to really serve the community. So, we’re going to be able to meet people where they are.”

Helping expand the care they provide, Ross says they will be able to provide vaccines, COVID testing and medical treatments.

“Nine times out of ten what will happen is, you know, part of what we do as a business - we find need,” Ross said. “So, wherever the need is, is exactly where we’ll be.”

Ross did say that within the next two to three weeks, people could see the mobile van moving through the community.

When it comes to the actual medical facility that was destroyed, Brent says based on conversations with architects, it can be a year and a half to two years before they move back in.

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