Nativdad poised to treat more patients at newly expanded pediatric clinic.

For 132 years, Natividad Medical Center has been helping Monterey County residents heal, and on March 7, the hospital launched two more ways to help a greater number of patients.

The medical center and the Monterey County Health Department unveiled a new Care Center and an expanded Laurel Pediatric Clinic, both on the main Natividad campus on Natividad Road in Salinas.

The Care Center includes six cardiology rooms, mammography services, women’s diagnostics, bone density exams and ultrasound scans.

It also features a cardiopulmonary area that includes echocardiograms, stress testing, electrocardiograms and pulmonary testing.

The idea of the new facilities is to provide easier, faster access to outpatient services. 

The Care Center was built in part with a $2.4 million capital implementation grant from the Central California Alliance for Health.

“The Alliance greatly appreciates Natividad’s continuing tradition of providing high quality health care for our members,” Stephanie Sonnenshine, CCAH's CEO said in a statement.

The Laurel Pediatric clinic was doubled in size from roughly 4,500 square feet to 9,000 square feet, and now includes 27 treatment rooms as well as a health education classroom.

The clinic hired three new physicians thanks to the expansion, according to Julie Edgcomb, Natividad's administrator of ambulatory services.

It’s also now able to offer wellness groups and extended hours, “so that we more comprehensively address our patients’ health needs," Edgcomb said.