Hospital clinic in Presidio closes
PRESIDIO –– The Big Bend Regional Medical Center clinic on O’Reilly Street in Presidio closed last Tuesday with little warning, leaving some patients in the lurch. The clinic — open for about a year and a half — was one of two clinics offering care to patients as part of a push to expand healthcare access in South Presidio County.
A sign posted on the door explained that Dr. David Sanchez had resigned from his post, leaving the office without a doctor, but that patients were welcome to seek care in Alpine. “We understand this news might cause disappointment for you,” the notice read. “Our team will continue to be here in Alpine, providing you with onsite medical care, after-hours support, prescription management, specialty care referrals, and overall health and wellness support.”
The Big Bend Regional Medical Center did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Presidio EMS to receive medical direction from Texas Tech in El Paso
PRESIDIO –– At Tuesday’s council meeting, Presidio EMS Director Troy Sparks announced that the city would be entering into an agreement with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in El Paso to enhance its training and serve as its medical director.
The news followed an announcement by Dr. Ivan Becerra, a fellow in emergency medicine at the TTUHSC in the Permian Basin, that he would be resigning his post as the department’s medical director, effective March 31. An EMS department can’t operate without a medical director, who is available for consultation when difficulties arise in the field. “I am deeply grateful for the support, trust and collaboration I’ve experienced during my tenure here, and I will always hold the City of Presidio EMS/Paramedicine and its team in the highest regard,” Becerra wrote in his resignation letter to the city.
As a bonus, the new contract with TTUHSC in El Paso will be free of charge for the first 12 months — a major savings from Becerra’s contract, which cost the city $2,000 a month.