Good Shepherd Health Care System is expanding primary care options for Hermiston and surrounding areas.

The hospital opened the Good Shepherd Family Health Center Tuesday. The new clinic will provide medical care for men, women and children ages five months and older.

According to a news release from Good Shepherd, a recent report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation showed Umatilla County has one primary care provider available for every 2,180 residents. Studies show increasing the number of primary care providers in a community is associated with increased life expectancy in that community.

“In the past, community members have struggled with being able to find and establish a relationship with a primary care provider locally and have sought care in other communities,” Nick Bejarano, GSHCS director of marketing and communications said in a statement. “Today, that all changes.”

The clinic opened its doors Tuesday in the Good Shepherd Medical Plaza, Suite 103, with one full-time provider. Angie Hays, a registered nurse practitioner who has lived in Hermiston 22 years, said she is excited to provide services, including physicals, sick visits, monitoring and caring for chronic conditions and working with specialists. Good Shepherd is working to actively recruit more providers for the clinic, which is accepting new patients now.

For more information or to schedule an appointment call 541-667-3830.