New pediatric clinic planned in Talkeetna

A lower Valley clinic will soon be doing a test run in Talkeetna.  They focus on children and women’s health and want to see if there is room for three clinics in Talkeetna. They are renovating space and hoping to open for appointments in October.  Sue Deyoe has the story on the latest in health care availability in the upper valley…

listen here

The Upper Valley has  3 clinics in Willow and two clinics in Talkeetna – both the Sunshine Health Center and Doc Yates see patients from the area.

Now, there is a lower valley clinic that wants to see if there is enough room in Talkeetna for a third clinic.  Mat Su Pediatrics has found a space at the new Northern Susitna Institute building.  Shelis Jorgensen is a Nurse Practioner with Mat Su Pediatrics and says it will be Tuesdays and Thursdays to begin with…

“We are only going to be a part time clinic… .”

She says their clinic thinks there IS a need for specialty care..

“We have been seeing some people from up there..”

And although Mat Su Community Pediatrics website touts themselves as medical services for infants, children and adolescents, Jorgensen says they will not only see children but also see women of any age at the new clinic… ” …”

Infancy up to 18, wellness,, common cold, to diabetes, in terms of women across the lifespan. “…”

Women’s health would cover annual exams to diabetes to other types of care.

She says they looked for a site in the upper valley for months and although they would have preferred to have a clinic along the Parks Highway or that area, she says nothing appropriate was available. She said NSI’s office space looks to be a perfect match..”…”

Jorgensen says the area is still considered a health shortage area. The clinic will take Medicaid,  Denali Kid Care, the breast and cervical health grant program,  as well as many types of insurance.

Jorgensen says it’s a test run to see how much of a need there really is..”…”

They’ll do a review in 6 months and readjust future plans at that point.

The clinic starts taking calls in mid September at their Wasilla office 357-2955 for appointments. The clinic should be open in Talkeetna in October.