San Ysidro Health Center (SYHC) will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Paradise Hills Family Clinic, 2400 E. 8th St., National City on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009.  The event, which will be attended by Congressman Bob Filner, will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the ribbon cutting scheduled for 11:45 a.m.

 Paradise Hills Family Clinic was funded from a $1.3 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to establish a new access point community clinic in National City, Calif.  The new SYHC satellite facility will improve and increase access to primary care services and reduce health disparities in the areas of primary care, prenatal care, and chronic diseases for the underserved residents in and around National City.

 Ed Martinez, CEO of San Ysidro Health Center noted that health disparities experienced by National City residents, as well as residents throughout San Diego County, have resulted in higher death rates for coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cervical cancer; and a higher incidence of heart disease, hypertension, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, asthma hospitalization, teen pregnancy and late or no prenatal care than the county average.

 “We are truly fortunate to receive federal funding that allows us to further our mission of eliminating barriers to care,” said Martinez. “The opening of Paradise Hills Family Clinic puts these funds to work immediately for the health and well being of our community.”