June 2, 1999.

The Ceres Medical Office is more than just a very attractive building, county officials observed at Thursday's grand opening. It is an example of collaborative model for other communities to follow.

County and city officials joined Ceres residents and those from the medical profession to cut the ribbon to the new facility on Whitmore Avenue.

"We don't build buildings like this every day … especially in Ceres," said Supervisor Paul Caruso.

Caruso said the closure of Memorial Hospital Ceres in 1993 precipitated the birth of the medical clinic. He said the loss to Ceres resulted in the decentralization of medical services otherwise that were only available in Modesto. Caruso thanked former Mayor Barbara Hinton for her tireless effort to get city support behind the Ceres Medical Office. The Ceres Redevelopment Agency (CRA) offered financial assistance to the county to help underwrite the costs.

"It is truly a collaborative model for Hughson, Empire and Patterson since the hospital closed there," said Caruso. "I think it adds to the quality of life…this is very important to the people of the community."

The 10,000 square-foot facility replaces the former county clinic offices – sized at approximately 4,200 square feet – leased to the county by Dr. Steve Marles across from the now-closed hospital. The county will offer family practices through Dr. Glen Villanueva and Dr. Florence Leung. The WIC program will be soon kicking into high gear, as will mental health services.

"We're delighted to be here," said Dr. Larry Poaster, director the Department of Mental Health. He said the county will soon be expanding services to cover persons 21 and older. The clinic will also be networking with the Ceres Counseling Center which offers services to minors.

The county is also in the process, said Poaster of renovating the former ThunderRoads treatment center on the old hospital property for a recovery program for persons with addictions.

"So we're on a roll," said Poaster.

County Chief Executive Officer Reagan Wilson noted that the center represented "community building" and urged Cereans to help "protect and enhance this little resource."

Randy Brekke, who owns the building and is leasing it to the county and American Medical Response ambulance, said the public-private project was a first for him.

Used by permission of The Ceres Courier.