Health officials, supervisor celebrate at Ramona clinic open house

By Karen Brainard

Palomar Health officials, Arch Health Partners doctors and District 2 County Supervisor Dianne Jacob welcomed Ramona residents to the open house of the new Ramona Ambulatory Care Center on Saturday, April 13.

The 7,600-square-foot clinic is on 13th Street, just off Main Street, and across from the Ramona Library.

Those speaking included Jacob, Arch Health Partners Executive Director Victoria Lister, Palomar Health Board Chairman Ted Kleiter, Palomar Health Chief Executive Officer Michael Covert, Dr. Christine Lind, and Dr. Marcelo Rivera, who as a Ramona resident and member of the Palomar Health board was instrumental in bringing the medical clinic to Ramona.

A key message was that residents of Ramona and backcountry communities need to support the clinic. Officials said the more business the care center receives, the greater the chance for expansion and longer urgent care hours.

“Please make an effort to use this facility so we can one day expand it,” said Jacob.

The three-hour open house included free screenings, entertainment, food, and tours of the new building.

“I’m really happy that we have it, especially with urgent care,” said Violet Jagers of Ramona. “It’s necessary.”

“I think the exam rooms are large and attractive and well-equipped,” said Carolyn Wallace, Sr.

Melanie Parker, who has been in Ramona for 34 years, said, “It’s a big step up for us. We’re all thrilled.”

Costing about $6 million, the care center was made possible with the passage of Proposition BB, the nearly $500 million bond measure that district voters approved in 2004, and that also funded the new Palomar Medical Center building in Escondido.