MMC director/owner Dr. Tony Stearns said they planned the move about three years ago.
“This place is ideal because it is right in the center of everything,” Stearns said.
The new clinic houses a pediatric room, five examination rooms, an ultrasound room, an X-ray room and a spacious and comfortable reception area where patients can wait in comfort for their turn to get medical services.
The MMC staff have been transferring equipment from the San Antonio clinic for the past weeks, leaving only the basic necessities there but beginning on Monday, the new clinic will start full operations.
Stearns said due to public demand, they will still maintain the clinic in San Antonio which has been serving clients in the area since May 1998.
“We may do some renovations in the clinic but we will keep it open for the meantime for our loyal clients,” he said.
He said it may be quite a challenge to maintain the two clinics but they will do it to give more service to the community.
Stearns said some years back, before the demise of the garment industry, MMC was serving the medical needs of thousands of garment factory workers as well as residents in San Antonio, Koblerville and the neighboring villages.
“MMC offers a full scope of general family services covering pregnancy care and delivery at the Commonwealth Health Center, infancy and child care, common ailments such as child’s and adult’s flu, colds, and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and more,” he said.
MMC also conducts medical examinations for green card processing as well as drug testing and other laboratory exams for driver’s licenses, and employment requirements.
Stearns said they will also focus on the healthcare of individuals 60 years old and above and address non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and others.
The proximity of the new MMC clinic to the Commonwealth Health Center also makes it more accessible and convenient to refer delivery services.
Working with Stearns are Dr. Cooper Schraudenbach, health care professionals and over 20 staff who see to the needs of patients each day. Stearns said they are also in the process of recruiting more staff particularly nurses and family practitioners.
MMC just got contracted with Medicare a few weeks ago. The medical center accepts other insurances including Cigna, BCBS Federal, HMSA, Medicaid, Staywell, Calvos, Netcare, Aetna, Takecare, Geha, and Tricare.
MMC serves an average of about 60 patients a day or about 300 a week.
“Consider MMC as your clinic of choice in the CNMI,” said MMC operations manager Thelma Cabrera.
MMC clinic hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Credit cards are accepted. For more information, call 234-3930.
