CHRISTUS Health celebrated the expansion of specialty care for patients in East Texas with a ribbon- cutting and blessing ceremony for its newest multi-specialty clinic in Sulphur Springs on Thursday.
The 16,500-square-foot clinic at 215 Airport Road, right next to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs will open to patients on Monday, Dec. 8, and bring together five key specialties under one roof: gastroenterology, general surgery, orthopedics, pain management and pulmonology, enhancing convenience and care coordination for patients.
“It is a giant blessing to be able to heal people, and this clinic represents the commitment from CHRISTUS to ensure that patients, rural and urban, have the ability to seek world-class care here in Sulphur Springs,” said Dr. Christopher Meltsakos, orthopedic surgeon with CHRISTUS Health in Sulphur Springs. “This clinic allows us to provide greater access and resources to our current patients and make the new patients that come through our door feel at home.”
The new space supports CHRISTUS Health’s longterm strategy to meet growing patient demand, reduce wait times and strengthen access to specialty services.
In addition to support staff, 10 specialty physicians will see patients in the new clinic, which was designed with both capacity and comfort in mind.
The facility was designed methodically, with every square foot thought out intentionally, not only to maximize use with both the clinicians and their specialist teams and patients in mind, with an eye toward potential future growth, it was noted.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic features 30 state-of-the-art exam rooms, multiple x-ray rooms, a lab and orthopedic casting room, allowing patients to receive comprehensive care without traveling to multiple locations.
“We use words like growth and purpose, but those words only matter if we make an impact on real people,” said Dr. David Larsen, chair of primary care for CHRISTUS Health. “This clinic and the providers and staff that are here are making that impact and represent all the values of CHRISTUS in living our mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”
Father Justin Wylie, chaplain and pastoral/spiritual care program manager for CHRISTUS Mother Frances- Sulphur Springs, performed the blessing, offering a prayer for the facility, health care professionals who work there and patients and sprinkled holy water throughout the building.
Father Justin noted that the day is notable, because it also marks 10 years in which the Hopkins County community placed trust in CHRISTUS Health, whose primary mission is to fulfill one of two christian imperatives – to lead others to salvation and to care for the sick. Churches and schools, he noted, fulfill the first; thus, it is the job of hospitals and clinics to do the second.
The project started three years ago in concept, with the groundbreaking held two years ago.
CMFH-SS President/ CEO Paul Harvey offered thanks for all who have been involved in the process from start to finished. That included a number of individuals, including the CHRISTUS leadership team, Joe Bob Burgin, the Hospital District Board, architects, the county judge the general contractors and construction team — including local vendors — and many individuals whose boots on the ground involvement did a phenomenal job keeping the project on track and with the finished product.
After the grand opening ceremony, blessing and ribbon cutting, the new clinic was opened for self-guided tours.
Patients can call 903885-6688 with questions.