Costa Announces Federal Grant to Open New Health Center in Fresno

Fresno, Calif. - Congressman Jim Costa (D-Calif.) announced that Clinica Sierra Vista of Bakersfield has received a $483,333 federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to open a new community health center in Fresno County known as the West Shaw Community Health Center. Clinica Sierra Vista was one of only 67 organizations across the nation to receive the HRSA grant. Costa supported Clinica Sierra Vista's application for federal funding in a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"The new West Shaw Community Health Center will expand access to quality health care for communities in Fresno that need it most," Costa said. "This grant is a significant investment in the health and well-being of people of the San Joaquin Valley. I am proud to have helped secure the funding for the new community health center."

At full capacity, West Shaw Community Health Center will serve 3,883 patients, employ 15 medical professionals, and offer primary care services in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN and other preventative and supplemental health services.

Stephen W. Schilling, Chief Executive Officer for Clinica Sierra Vista, added, "Clinica Sierra Vista has provided quality health care to medically underserved populations in the San Joaquin Valley for more than 40 years. We are thrilled to receive this highly competitive grant. We look forward to opening this new center and serving a community that is in great need of quality, accessible health care. I am grateful to Congressman Costa for his many years of steadfast support for Clinica Sierra Vista and our mission."

Clinica Sierra Vista is one of the largest, private, non-profit, community based and governed agencies in California. A leader in providing primary health care and preventive health education services, Clinica Sierra Vista has grown to 24 sites, with more than 900 employees.