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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIG SUR HEALTH CENTER
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HON. JIMMY PANETTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate
the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Big Sur Health Center.
Big Sur Health Center opened in 1979 with a mission to bring quality
medical care to the rural community of Big Sur and continues to serve
as the only medical facility in the immediate area. The non-profit
center provides affordable, culturally sensitive healthcare centering
on diverse patient needs to both residents and visitors alike. When it
opened, Big Sur Health Center offered services one day a week and
facilitated 850 patient visits a year. Recognizing the need in the area
and with community-wide fundraising support, the center quickly
expanded to a 2,100 square-foot medical facility providing services
five days a week. To date, they have administered more that 73,000
patient visits.
In its 40 years of service to the central coast of California, Big
Sur Health Center has grown to meet the needs of our local community.
Their team has developed vital programs and services, including a
pharmaceutical service for urgent care medications and supplies, a
fully-equipped dental suite to provide full-service oral healthcare,
chiropractic care, acupuncture care, and a multicultural outreach
program. Their bilingual staff aims to provide personalized,
comprehensive, and holistic care to the diverse cultures and
communities in Big Sur.
With unpredictable coastal hazards and frequent geographic and
climate challenges, the Big Sur community faces unique medical needs.
Big Sur Health Center has responded to these needs by offering 24-hour-
on-call service and home visits and coordinates with local emergency
teams during extreme weather conditions and natural disasters. In
recent years, the center has offered healthcare services to thousands
of firefighters during six large-scale fires. They have remained
innovative in their response to local needs, working in partnership
with medical facilities on the Monterey Peninsula to limit the need for
residents to commute 30-miles for laboratory testing and other
immediate medical services.
I am honored to recognize Big Sur Health Center and its important
contributions to the health of residents on the Central Coast over the
past 40 years. They have made incredible progress from their small
clinic in 1979 and will undoubtedly continue to evolve with the needs
of the community to provide quality, affordable healthcare services to
our rural coastline. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in
congratulating and thanking Big Sur Health Center for 40 years of
service to our community.
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