Tribal Leadership, Medical Staff and Elected Official Celebrate Opening of Expanded Community Clinic; New Clinic Medical Director Announced.
Corning, Calif. – On March 30, 2021, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians celebrated the official opening of its expanded Rolling Hills Clinic in Red Bluff with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The hour-long ceremony featured remarks from the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians Tribal Chairman Andrew “Dru” Alejandre, Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians CEO Damon Safranek, Rolling Hills Clinic Executive Director Carole Veloso, and California Assemblyman James Gallagher.
“The expansion of our Red Bluff clinic marks a great milestone for our Tribe as providing quality and accessible healthcare for our community is deeply rooted in our Tribe’s values. We are truly humbled to be in a position where we can support our community by providing additional affordable healthcare resources that are much needed, especially during the ongoing pandemic,” said Tribal Chairman Andrew “Dru” Alejandre. “We are proud of this new facility and are grateful for our medical and dental staff who look forward to welcoming current and new patients.”
This new building, formerly known as the Dignity Health Medical Group, is located at 2526 Sister Mary Columba Dr. in Red Bluff. The expanded clinic space will provide additional primary services for the local community, while allowing us to expand specialty services in our former location including behavioral health, pediatric pain management, dermatology, and physical therapy. The newly expanded space is now open and accepting new patients.
In addition, the clinic expansion will bring in additional primary care providers and house longtime local Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) specialist Dr. Norman Nasise. Beloved by the Red Bluff community as the former OB/GYN medical provider at Dignity Health Medical Group.
The Tribe has also continued to receive support from public officials, including California Assemblyman James Gallagher who was in attendance in the day’s event and who shared remarks during the ceremony. Assemblyman Gallagher has been an active supporter of the Tribe’s commitment to helping the community at large, especially in providing healthcare services.
“I look forward to seeing how the newly expanded Rolling Hills Clinic positively impacts the Red Bluff community through quality and accessible healthcare services,” said Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City). “As we continue to push through a global pandemic, it’s great to see a tribe like Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians support local communities such as Red Bluff.”
During the ceremony, the Rolling Hills Clinic announced that Dr. Akua Agyeman M.D. officially joined their medical staff on March 15, 2021. Dr. Agyeman will serve as the new Medical Director for the Rolling Hills Clinics in Corning and Red Bluff and will report directly to Executive Director Carole Veloso.
Licensed in four countries with clinical specialties in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Agyeman brings more than 20 years of experience and has been a hospital medical officer and held private practices throughout Australia, Guam, New Zealand, and the U.S. She will provide these specialty services and oversee the medical staff at both the Corning and Red Bluff locations.
“Dr. Agyeman brings a wealth of experience to our medical practice through her ingenious medical background,” said Carole Veloso, Executive Director at Rolling Hills Clinic. “We are proud to welcome her to our medical team and know she’ll support in providing quality medical care to our local community.”
Most recently, Dr. Agyeman provided primary care at her private medical practice Sanitas Integrative & Aesthetic Medicine and provided telehealth medical consultations through Bookadoc2u. Prior to that, she practiced as a Specialist Internal Medicine practitioner in her private practice, Agyeman Integrative Medical Health Institute in Burpengary, Australia.
Dr. Agyeman earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Seton Hall University in New Jersey, her MBA in Finance and Pharmaceutical Marketing from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and her MD/PhD in Pharmacology and Physiology from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. Her special interests are in Pediatrics, Mental Health, Obesity and Lifestyle Management and Chronic Pain. She has also undertaken advanced training in Functional Medicine, Dry Needling and Myofascial Release therapy, as well as Nutrition, and utilizes both Western medicine and holistic medical therapies to address medical and health needs.
The Rolling Hills Clinics provide affordable, quality medical care and dental services to residents in Corning, Red Bluff and surrounding communities. They are committed to providing quality patient care and outstanding customer service to its communities. Both clinics are taking protective measures to keep its personnel and patients safe during these uncertain times by offering telehealth and assessing ill patients before they enter the locations. Rolling Hills Clinic accepts Medi-Cal, Medicare, and most major insurance providers.
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ABOUT THE PASKENTA BAND OF NOMLAKI INDIANS
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians owns Rolling Hills Casino & Resort, which includes the Casino, three restaurants, two conference centers, a Brewery & Distillery, RV Park and Travel Center, The Equestrian Center at Rolling Hills and The Links at Rolling Hills Golf Course. They employ over 500 team members, most of whom work full time with health care benefits and 401k options. Each year, hundreds of thousands of guests visit Rolling Hills Casino, bringing with them tourist dollars that benefit the local economy. The Casino and the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians are strong community partners supporting local programs through generous grants and sponsorships. The Paskenta Nomlaki Foundation donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to community organizations each year, with over $9 million donated to benefit local health, safety and education programs.
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