Company Profile
La Clinica de Familia
Company Overview
La Clinica de Familia (LCDF) is a Federally Qualified Health Center with several locations in Southern New Mexico. For over 40 years, La Clinica has provided services to the residents of Southern New Mexico. Our mission statement speaks to what La Clinica de Familia stands for: to empower and enrich families, individuals, and communities by providing quality medical, dental, behavioral health and educational services for people of all cultures.
Las Cruces, NM is a tranquil college community located at the foot of the Organ Mountains, along the banks of the Rio Grande, and just 45 miles from El Paso, TX. Many boast about the awesome view of the mountains and great climate that we see throughout the year. We have two major colleges in the area, a medical school, minor league baseball and soccer team not far away. Many outdoor activities are available such as hiking, biking, and exploring all the New Mexico historic sites.
Company History
1976- 5 employees and 800 sq. ft. office space: LCDF began in Las Cruces as a Migrant Health initiative of the statewide HELP (Health Education Livelihood Program) which today continues to provide Migrant Head Start Programs here; medical services for migrant workers were provided in eastside Las Cruces. In 1978 LCDF incorporated with a community Board of Directors (federal regulation requires 51% clinic users) and began services as a COMMUNITY and MIGRANT HEALTH CENTER in San Miguel in 1979; We were designated a National Health Service Corp site hopefully ensuring a flow of committed young MDs…1st 2 NHSC Docs reneged in less than a year into their practice!
San Miguel is an agricultural area. LCDF began medical services in a rented former Co-op store that today is still run by a community group- El Concilio. Initially the clinic had partial walls that didn’t go to the ceiling…and privacy was not guaranteed! ADMINISTRATION was housed at San Miguel along with medical until 1992 when we rented space on Boutz Road. Several renovations have been made over the years, but the building is still lacking; a new building in San Miguel is part of our long-range plans.
Federal regulations required that LCDF be located in a Medically Underserved Area….at that time outside of the City. Services began in Mesilla in 1980 and included a prenatal program and patient and community education (Budget $300,000). Today Mesilla still serves over 2000 urban Las Cruces patients, some of whose families have been with us for over 20 years. LCDF has searched for permission and funding for a Las Cruces facility since 1992; that plan is now being realized–Las Cruces was included in the County designation as a Medically Underserved Population in 1994 which allowed us to proceed with the Dental Center and the Medical Center.
1982– “Health Promotion and Disease Prevention” became the Federal solution to skyrocketing healthcare costs…LCDF responded…Highpoint of the year….LCDF purchased a video cassette recorder for patient education at a cost of $400…..the cost for burglar alarm and wrought iron to protect it was $2700!
Anthony, the hub of southern Dona Ana County, is a center of population growth–high birthrates and immigration–the face of the area is changing from agricultural to urban. LCDF started in a storefront in the ’80s. In 1985 it received federal Community/ Migrant Health Center funds (PHSA/Sec. 330/329) to add DENTAL services- under Dr. Juan Madrid (the definition of COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES is medical and dental). Two double wide (one for medical and one for dental) were set where the Medical/Dental Center is now. In 1987 LCDF was awarded a Community Development Block Brant (CDBG) to construct the current medical/dental facility (put in service in 1991) that we rent from the County. That facility was immediately too small and we have acquired a state loan to renovate and expand; we are at this time working with the county to purchase the existing structure and begin construction.
1983–LCDF expanded to Sunland Park part time (Alicia Tovar was at SlP until 1996). Dr. Cantrell joined the staff. LCDF successfully competed for Public Health Service Act (Section 1610-B) capital outlay funding for facility improvement in 1986. Sunland Park Medical was put into service in 1990; before that, LCDF rented a small 2-bedroom house–the only space available in a colonia (the State Licensing Inspector threatened to condemn and close this site…). Sunland Park, 3 small communities, was incorporated as a city in 1986; David Martinez was its first (youngest) Mayor–just out of college. Mr. Martinez is a former NM Legislator and has assisted us for many years; he is now Board President. 1984–Dr. Frank Crespin joined LCDF and in 1985 became Medical Director for five years (went to Public Health for 6 years) and returned in 1997.
In 1985 LCDF obtained its first COMPUTER “to increase efficiency and reduce paperwork!”
1985–Adolescent Family Life Program was born with Shirley Dundon as coordinator and Tonia Duran and Pearl Hawe (NMSU) beginning our community education efforts (60 young women that year–400 this year). Its program has expanded from prenatal education to parenting and domestic violence prevention with both young women and young men. It is starting a new chapter in September with 3 AmeriCorps Members initiating teen pregnancy prevention activities.
1986–8000 residents relied on LCDF for healthcare services. Over 100,000 patients crossed our threshold in the first 10 years and 1000 deliveries were recorded.
Benefits
Malpractice Insurance
High HIPSA Scores, which makes it easier to qualify for loan repayment
Money and paid time off for Continuing Educational Courses
Work/Life Balance
Company Holidays:
• New Year’s Day
• Spring Holiday (Good Friday)
• Memorial Day
• 4th of July
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day