ARKANSAS, USA — On Wednesday, officials with Baptist Health and North Little Rock celebrated the unveiling of the brand-new family health clinic in Rose City.
The long-awaited journey to open the new clinic first began two years ago when North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick announced that the city had officially closed on a property.
With a $4 million budget, the Rose City Family Medicine Center was finally completed, and it sits at the intersection of East Washington Avenue and U.S. 70.
"This clinic is absolutely beautiful and I'm so excited for what it's going to do for people in this community," said Troy Wells, the Baptist Health President and CEO.
For 11 years, residents in Rose City had been without a nearby clinic. Years later, city officials promised Rose City that they would receive closer healthcare— limiting the time residents had to drive to a medical clinic.
After two years of work, the clinic was completed with newly equipped hospital beds and rooms for trauma and x-ray-related injuries.
Dr. Jessica Udeogu will serve as the clinic's head physician and will cater to the needs of every patient no matter what the circumstances are.
"We do women's wellness exams, chronic illness, chronic disease, hypertension, blood pressure," Dr. Udeogu said. "Any concerns or needs that you have we will take care of you."
The family medical clinic is set to officially open to the community later this week.
"Just to see people coming together, collaborating, and looking for a brighter future for a community that people have counted out," said Patricia Jackson, a Rose City resident.
Mayor Hartwick and other city leaders said the new clinic would bring blossoming change to the Rose City area. Partnering with Baptist Health was one of the many playing parts in helping to bring a brand new clinic to the area.
"Time saves lives and every minute every second counts," Mayor Hartwick said. "A lot of us who grew up in this area know what it means this is pretty special guys, this is pretty special."
The Baptist Health Family Medical Clinic in Rose City is set to open its doors to the public on September 5, 2024.