GONZALES — Salinas Valley Health marked the 10-year anniversary of Taylor Farms Family Health and Wellness Center in Gonzales on Saturday with a Community Health Day, drawing hundreds of community members to the facility to celebrate a decade of expanded access to healthcare while offering free flu vaccinations and wellness activities.
In the past decade, the Center has averaged 20,000 patient encounters per year, logging nearly 207,000 patient visits since opening its doors in November 2015.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years,” said Gonzales Mayor Jose Rios. “This facility has transformed healthcare access in our community. It’s a point of pride for our city and we are grateful to all of the partners who make it a success.”
Taylor Farms Family Health and Wellness Center opened with three providers and 6,400 square feet of space. It has since grown into a vital hub for healthcare in South Monterey County and now boosts 11 full-time bilingual primary care providers, five rotation specialty physicians in cardiology, orthopedic surgery, gastroenterology and general surgery, and nearly 20,000 square feet of clinical and community space, including 16 exam rooms, one procedure room and a meeting space.
“We had a vision of delivering quality health services to underserved populations that were most in need,” said Dr. Allen Radner, president and CEO of Salinas Valley Health. “Taylor Farms Family Health and Wellness Center reflects our commitment to serve everyone, regardless of insurance and has become a crown jewel in our healthcare system.”
“When I moved here 17 years ago, I fell in love with the South County population,” added Dr. Mandy Jackson, pediatrician and medical director for the Center. “Access to quality healthcare is a matter of human equality, and our entire staff is dedicated to leveling the playing field.”
Program speakers praised the Center’s first medical director, Dr. Christine Ponzio, who had a 40-year medical career in Gonzales and was on hand for the festivities. Appreciation was also expressed for the early financial support and ongoing collaboration of Taylor Family Farms.
“The results speak for themselves,” said Jerrett Stoffel, senior vice president of operations for Taylor Farms. “This Center reduces the need for emergency department visits by focusing on preventative care and wellness. That makes all the difference in the lives of real people.”
The Oct. 25 anniversary event featured health and wellness resource tables, educational demonstrations, a soccer ball giveaway, Zumba class and a healthy cooking demonstration.
In addition, participants were able to receive seasonal flu vaccinations through the Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic. Just over 200 vaccines were administered at the Gonzales event, bringing the total to more than 600 free flu shots administered this month at free flu clinics.
“This Center is such an important part of how we stay healthy,” noted Evangelina Maldonado, local resident and longtime patient at Taylor Family Farms Health and Wellness Center. “The staff here really are amazing. I bring my whole family to get our free flu shots every year. I’m grateful they do this for the community.”
“For 10 years, we’ve had the privilege of healing, supporting and growing alongside our patients,” said Micaela Vargas, manager of the Center. “This milestone is not just ours, it’s shared with every life we’ve touched. Here’s to many more years of making a difference.”
For more information about Salinas Valley Health, visit salinasvalleyhealth.com.
