ONE STOP HEALTH SHOP OPEN IN EL CAJON
By Jonathan Goetz
May 12, 2017 (El Cajon) - This week the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting dedication ceremony for El Cajon Family Health Center. It is dubbed a “comprehensive regional healthcare facility” that offers primary care, women’s services, vision, dental and mental health.
“All of our efforts are coordinated to improve El Cajon and we need healthcare and we need the right kind of healthcare,” said El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, who works in an emergency room, which he believes is less efficient than urgent care in many cases.
Wells said “This gives people parity with other folks who have better insurance, and we think that makes El Cajon a better place to live.”
“This site used to be a loan repossession place where people lost cars and home,” said CEO of El Cajon Family Health Center Fran Butler-Cohen. “Now, instead of heartache, we bring hope, healing and health.” She also commended her staff for their ability to provide services in English, Spanish and Arabic.
(Photo, left to right: Ernie Talmanglo, Mary Sanders, Katie Wood & Councilman Steve Goble, in front of Kitt Sign Company’s trilingual sign.
“We were fortunate enough to have just received our new 100-watt laser machine to cut all the acrylic lettering and logos that were installed above the nurses stations,” said Bob Barnard of Kitt Sign Company. “We put the final touches on the project just last week with the installation of the multi-language directories. Translations into Spanish and Arabic can have their challenges.”
“This facility will help homeless people and others who don’t have access to healthcare and that will go a long way toward helping the City of El Cajon,” said CEO of San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Eric Lund.
Wells and Councilmembers Steve Goble and Ben Kalasho were there to cut the ribbon and declare May 11 Family Health Centers of San Diego Day in the City of El Cajon.
The Copley Foundation provided a generous match for the project. The National Cheers Foundation was also integral and a representative from the Maximus Foundation also participated.