NMCSD Opens New Clinic in Eastlake

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) is scheduled to celebrate the grand opening of one of its newest clinics during a ribbon cutting ceremony April 30.

Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) Eastlake is poised to continue the hospital's legacy of providing top-notch care to our nation's heroes and those who stand by them.

"I am truly honored and proud to introduce our patients to Naval Medical Center San Diego's newest addition, Branch Health Clinic Eastlake. We are excited to expand the quality health care our families currently receive and provide them additional convenient options for their health care needs," said Commander, NMCSD and Navy Medicine West, Rear Adm. C. Forrest Faison III. "Patients at the new Branch Health Clinic Eastlake will continue to receive world-class, patient-centered care through our Medical Home model of primary care services, providing consolidated services within one state-of-the-art location in the community where they live by a dedicated team of professionals."

NBHC Eastlake is staffed by a patient and family-centered Medical Home Port team that delivers primary care, immunizations, pharmacy, phlebotomy, case management and health and wellness services to 4,800 eligible beneficiaries. Essentially a "one stop shop" designed to cater to patients' varying medical needs, NBHC Eastlake is conveniently located to home, work and play and will assist in lightening the load on neighboring Branch Health Clinic Chula Vista, allowing for more personalized patient care, according to NMCSD's Facilities Department Project Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Richard J. Taulli.

The clinic opened its doors to patients Mar. 25; on this day, its 20 staff members treated 51 patients and dispensed 25 prescriptions, according to Clinic Head Cmdr. Faria Belmares, who said the first day of operations went off without a hitch.

"The staff has exceeded my expectations. They continue to go above and beyond to ensure quality healthcare is delivered and that each patient has a positive experience. The first day of care went excellently...the patients seemed very pleased with the new clinic, and everything ran smoothly," she said.

The clinic boasts 13 examination rooms in a 9,400-square-foot facility. Planning for the new clinic began in 2009; construction commenced in November 2012 and was completed in March 2013 with great success, according to Taulli.

"I am very pleased with the results. The facility is very attractive and raises the standard of care for our patients. I cannot overstate this point: the effort and support of all involved was truly above par, above and beyond in every case-sustained superior performance," enthused Taulli. "I am extremely proud to have been part of this team; and grateful to be entrusted with such an important task for the hospital, its beneficiaries, and San Diego. This was by far the most rewarding project I have completed in 19 years of naval service."

NMCSD opened an additional clinic location in Rancho Bernardo Apr. 22 and is scheduled to celebrate the grand re-opening of the newly-renovated Branch Health Clinic Naval Training Center May 31.

NBHC Eastlake is located at 2300 Boswell Rd., Ste. 190, Chula Vista 91914. The clinic's hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment or for additional information, please contact (619) 744-5355.

For more information on Naval Medical Center San Diego, visit http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcsd, www.facebook.com/nmcsd, or www.twitter.com/NMC_SD.

For more news from Naval Medical Center San Diego, visit www.navy.mil/local/sd/.