PUBLIC HEALTH CARE

MADERA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Madera County provides a wide range of health services through the Madera County Public Health Department and in partnership with private medical offices and facilities. The primary responsibility of the Public Health Department is to protect and preserve the health of the community by providing education and information to the public regarding emergency and on-going health issues in the community; providing specialized clinical services, including health screening for senior citizens, immunizations and Tuberculosis skin tests; and monitoring, controlling and investigating reportable communicable diseases. The Department is neither a doctor’s office nor a hospital. Nearly all services provided by the health department are free of charge. The Madera Services are located at 14215 Road 28 in Madera. Mental health services are provided through Madera County Behavioral Health Services (BHS).

MADERA COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
Madera County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is a public agency offering alcohol, drug, and mental health recovery and treatment programs. Our mission is to “Promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and substance abuse for the individuals, families and communities we serve by providing accessible, caring, and culturally competent services.”. BHS provides services in Madera, Oakhurst and Chowchilla. Contact numbers are as follows:

• 24 Hour and Emergency Psychiatric Services (559) 673-3508 or Toll Free (888) 275-9779
• Screening and Referral for Mental Health Services (559) 675-7850
• Adult Substance Abuse Services (559) 675-4515
• Youth Substance Abuse Services (559) 675-7920

PRIVATE MEDICAL CARE

The private medical community of Madera offers a full array of highly trained and specialized physicians, surgeons, optometrists, dentists and chiropractors. Privately owned medical facilities and services also available include two convalescent hospitals:

• Country Villa Madera Rehabilitation & Nursing Center 
• Westgate Manor Convalescent Hospital 

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
A Precious Commodity... To say that the Central Valley is lucky to have a facility like Children's Hospital Central California is an understatement. For over 50 years, countless lives in Central California and beyond have been touched by the healing hands at Children's.

What started over 50 years ago as the humble vision of five women has grown into one of the 10 largest free-standing children's hospitals in the nation. Today, Children's Hospital is a 297-bed pediatric medical center on a 50-acre campus with more than 500 doctors practicing in over 40 pediatric subspecialties with centers and services throughout Central California.

In 2004, Children's Hospital received the prestigious Magnet Nursing Services Award from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Magnet Award is given to less than 3 percent of all hospitals in the country. Children's was the first pediatric hospital in California to receive the prestigious Magnet designation.

The Hospital's effect on kids is not just felt in the Valley; our primary service area encompasses over 45,000 square miles – stretching from Stockton to Bakersfield and the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the largest service areas of any children's hospital in the nation.

Children's is not only one of the biggest pediatric hospitals – it's one of the best. In national benchmark studies, the hospital is routinely recognized as one of the top hospitals in its peer group. Children’s has received exceptional ratings in key areas such as pain management, cleanliness, and responsiveness to special needs. Children’s Hospital’s Jane Seddon Willson Heart Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, are particularly noteworthy for annually ranking among the highest in their peer groups for survival rates.

The mission of Children's Hospital is to provide high quality, comprehensive health care services to the children regardless of their ability to pay. Thanks to the generous donations the Hospital receives from its many guilds, private donors, and corporate gifts, it is able to help fulfill its mission and make sure that children have access to excellent health care.

DARIN M. CAMARENA HEALTH CENTERS, INC.
Darin M. Camarena Health Centers, Inc. (DMCHC) is a nonprofit health center which focuses on the primary health care needs of the diverse community of Madera County. DMCHC practices an integrated health model which includes services in health education, chronic illness management, and dental care. This model empowers the patient to take charge of their wellbeing through a combination of good nutrition, healthy practices and modern medicine. DMCHC will be celebrating 28 years of service to Madera in September of 2008.

In December of 2005 DMCHC opened a site in Chowchilla through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). In addition to the Chowchilla site, DMCHC has two sites located in Madera. Our Family Center built in 2001, houses Walk-in Care, Family Dental, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Geriatric Care, Diabetes and Asthma Educators as well as car seat education and a literacy program. The Women’s Health Center is located directly across from the Family Center and provides family planning, pre- and post-natal care and other female health services.

In 2002 DMCHC developed a technology high infrastructure and implemented the Electronic Medical Records program. This ground-breaking use of technology is already redefining and increasing the quality of health care delivered to patients, and positively impacting chronic disease outcomes.

Darin M. Camarena Health Centers, Inc. is located on the corner of 6th and “B” Streets in downtown Madera and on Trinity Avenue, one block south of Robertson Boulevard, in Chowchilla. The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated professional community leaders of Madera County. Richard Walker is the Chief Executive Officer, and Kenneth E. Bernstein, MD, FAAFP is the Chief Medical Officer. Strong community support, public need, sound management, as well as state, federal and foundation grants and funding have helped Darin M. Camarena Health Centers, Inc. prosper and evolve into a prominent provider of medical and dental services for all community members without regard for social or economic status.

MADERA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Madera Community Hospital (MCH) is a 106-bed accredited acute care institution offering a wide range of sophisticated diagnostic and treatment services. It is a private, not for profit community hospital. MCH opened it doors on October 1, 1971 and is dedicated to providing quality healthcare services to Madera and the surrounding communities.

Madera is one of the fastest growing communities in the San Joaquin Valley. In order to meet the growing needs of our community MCH opened a 16-bed Emergency Department and a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit in December of 2000. The building is approximately 15,000 square feet. The facility has a separate ambulance entrance along with a decontamination area. There is a separate elevator for transporting patients from ER to ICU. This is a state of the art facility located on the south side of the hospital.

Services at MCH include: surgery (both inpatient and outpatient), diagnostic radiology, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, back classes, special therapy for stroke patients, health education, maternity care (including private birthing suites), 24-hour emergency services, in-house pharmacy service, specialized intensive care unit, cardiac care unit, nursing care, medical and surgical nursing care, and a home health care agency.

The MCH medical staff consists of 62 active staff, 5 provisional, 2 honorary (retired), 6 consulting and 15 courtesy staff, encompassing a wide range of specialties. The hospital employs over 900 people in over 40 different departments.

Out patient buildings on campus include:

• MCH OUTPATIENT CENTER
  August 2, 1993 marked the opening day of the newly constructed Outpatient Center, located in front of the hospital. Outpatient services include: radiology (x-ray), a drawing station (lab) and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
• MCH FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES CLINIC
  On October 8, 1998 the Family Health Services Clinic relocated to 1210 East Almond Avenue in front of the hospital. The Clinic has been open since April 13, 1992. Nurse Practitioners and their staff see over 1,800 patients a month. Patients requiring non-urgent care can be seen in the Family Health Services Clinic, allowing the Emergency Department to treat urgent patient care needs.
• MCH CHILDREN’S VISITORS CENTER
  The Children’s Visitors Center opened for children on April 5, 2004. The Children’s Visitor Center is available to clients who have a medical appointment, hospital emergency care or person visiting patients on the hospital grounds. Children can visit for up to two hours while their parents are using hospital services or visiting patients
• MCH OUTPATIENT SURGERY CENTER
  The Outpatient Surgery Center opened September 26, 1995. 70% of surgeries are done on an outpatient basis. The Surgery Center is 7,300 square feet and has three operating rooms as well as Pre-Op and Post-Op holding areas which are complete with private recovery beds and six recliners.
• MCH HOME HEALTH AGENCY
  Established in 1985, the Madera Community Hospital Home Health Agency provides Skilled Nursing, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Social Services. Medicare, Medi-Cal, and most private insurance plans are accepted. The Home Health Agency serves patients in Madera, South Merced, and Northwest Fresno Counties.
• LIFELINE®
  Lifeline®, a personal emergency response system that initiates calls for help when needed. You and your loved ones can have peace of mind, knowing you have Lifeline for health emergencies. You will be surprised how inexpensive peace of mind can be. Call the MCH Home Health Agency at (559) 675-2000 for more information.
• REHABILITATION SERVICES
  MCH Rehabilitation Services include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy. Programs include: work and sport-related injuries, stroke rehabilitation, balance and walk training, back care, osteoporosis, women’s health issues, hand injuries, post-amputation recovery, swallowing disorders, joint replacement, incontinence, retraining for activities of daily living, and more. Medicare, Medi-Cal, Workers’ Compensation, and most private insurance plans are accepted.

Fundraising Organizations include:

• MCH FOUNDATION
  The Foundation is made up of 25 community leaders whose main purpose is fundraising for Madera Community Hospital. The President of the Foundation serves on the Board of Trustees. Since its beginning the Foundation has raised over $2,500,000.00 for Madera Community Hospital. Please call the Foundation Office at (559) 675-5503 for more information.
• MCH LEAGUE OF VOLUNTEERS
  Madera Community Hospital has a very active League of Volunteers who volunteer their time to provide assistance throughout the hospital. The President of the League and is also a member of the Board of Trustees. The League has 100 active volunteers, 90 sustaining volunteers and 30 junior volunteers. The League began in 1968, even before the Hospital opened. They have earned over $1,200,000.00 since their beginning and have volunteered over 600,000 hours. Volunteering opportunities are available, please call (559) 675-5503 for more information.

MADERA MULTI SPECIALTY GROUP
Madera Multi Specialty Group (MMSG) was established in 1999 as an Independent Practice Association (IPA), uniting local physicians in an organization that is physician owned and operated. MMSG’s panel of seventy-plus primary care and specialty physicians are dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality healthcare in a caring and compassionate setting. The Madera Chamber of Commerce is proud to provide the Madera Multi Specialty Group Physicians Directory upon request or you may call the MMSG office at (559) 675-5592.

MADERA VALLEY PHYSICIANS ASSOCIATION
Madera Valley Physicians Association (MVPA) was incorporated in 1986, uniting a superior panel of physicians with the common goal of providing high-quality health care to the residents of Madera. MVPA physicians are contracted with most major health plans offered by Madera employers. Individuals may choose their personal physician from MVPA’s extensive panel of primary care physicians and specialists.  MVPA physicians provide quality care efficiently and responsibly, right here at home.  For additional information, please call the Madera Valley Physicians Association at (559) 675-5599.

This information provided courtesy of Children's Hospital Central California, Darin M. Camarena Health Centers, Madera Community Hospital, Madera County Behavioral Health Services, Madera Multi Specialty Group and the Madera Valley Physicians Association.