Sierra Health to build new center with stimulus grant

Nevada Health Centers is planning a dramatic expansion of its Carson City clinic with part of an $11.2 million stimulus grant.

Development Coordinator Paula Guzman said $4.2 million of the total will build and equip a two-story building for Sierra Nevada Family Health Center in Carson City. Administrative offices will occupy the top floor with an expanded health center on the bottom floor. She said that will lower Sierra Health's overhead by eliminating leasing costs the center now pays at its north Carson Street facility and free up funding for expanded medical services.

Guzman said the nonprofit hopes to start construction on the building by late summer, but to complete the project, they need to raise an additional $500,000.

"We still need to raise funds for the actual land," she said.

Sierra Nevada Family Health Center provides primary health care and prevention education. Guzman said they hope to expand in the future to possibly include dental and mental health services.

Sierra has four doctors, two physician's assistants and six medical assistants to provide care to patients at costs based on their ability to pay.

The rest of the grant money, Guzman said, will build an obstetrics and gynecology center in Las Vegas.

One of the state's largest nonprofit organizations, Nevada Health Centers has been in business for 30 years.

Guzman said the fund-raising campaign to pay for the land will be announced in the near future but anyone wishing to contribute to the project can call 888-6619.