New clinic to support community need for greater access to care
Newport News, VA — Riverside Health System announces the opening of a new primary care clinic in Newport News. The primary care clinic operated by the Riverside Medical Group (RMG) will be staffed by Melanie Ames, FNP, and Lisa Baxter, LPN, the clinic was established to address the community’s need for additional primary care services.
“I have been helping Riverside patients for 15 years and I feel excited to get to know more patients on a personal level and support their health needs. I look forward to caring for more area residents and am proud to be associated with Riverside’s newest primary care practice,” says Melanie Ames, Family Nurse Practitioner.
Ames’ background includes emergency and trauma care, forensic nursing, adolescent health care, sexually transmitted disease care and prevention, and medical care for patients who have experienced abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
“Our goal is to provide extended care services to as many of our community members as possible,” says Thomas Kayrouz, M.D., president and chief medical officer of Riverside Medical Group. “When the residents of southeast Newport News expressed their desire for a full-service primary care practice, we listened, and now look forward to caring for those local residents.”
The clinic will serve residents ages five and up and offer a wide range of services, including wellness exams, well-woman visits, physicals, sick visits and accompanying lab work. The clinic is located within the Community Free Clinic of Newport News at 727 25th Street and accepts a wide range of insurance. For the first 60 days, appointments can be made by calling 757-316-5210.
“As part of our mission to care for others as we would care for those we love,” says Bill Downey, CEO of Riverside Health System. “We are continuously looking for areas within the communities we serve where additional care can be provided. We are strong supporters of the Community Free Clinic of Newport News and by embedding a primary care clinic in it we believe we can fulfill a need for many area residents.” Additionally, RMG will be offering full-time dental services at this site. “To be able to expand the great work of the Community Free Clinic with additional Medical and Dental services should help us to improve health outcomes throughout the Peninsula,” Downey noted.
To learn more about the Newport News primary care practice, or to make an appointment, call 757-316-5210. For more information on Riverside, visit Riverside Primary Community Clinic.
Published: February 19, 2021