New LifeLong William Jenkins Health Center Will Provide State-of-the-Art Health Care Services for the Entire Family

New LifeLong William Jenkins Health Center Will Provide State-of-the-Art Health Care Services for the Entire Family

As one of the first African American pediatricians in Richmond, William Jenkins, MD, treated more than a million patients in his 50-year career. Now, LifeLong Medical Care will continue Dr. Jenkins legacy to the West Contra Costa community through a beautiful new facility — where the entire family can get care — named after Dr. Jenkins.

“My dad would be very proud of this new LifeLong William Jenkins Health Center,” says John Jenkins, Dr. Jenkins’ son and a member of LifeLong Medical Care’s Board of Directors. “He was committed to Richmond and the entire West County area, so he would be thrilled that there will be a permanent source of high-quality health care for the community.”

The health center, which is slated to open in early 2020, will be able to provide a variety of services to care for patients of all ages in various departments, explains Julia Still, MPH, Senior Project Manager for New Initiatives. The LifeLong Brazell H. Carter Health Center in Richmond, which will be moving to the new facility, “has a robust program for older adults,” she adds. LifeLong Brookside Richmond offers the full scope of primary care services, and it also will be moving to the new health center. In addition, the facility will house integrated behavioral health.

Julia Still, MPH, Senior Project Manager for New Initiatives (left) is Project Manager for the new health center. Jennifer Mourelatos, MPH, is Center Manager

A state-of-the-art dental department will feature nine dental chairs, including a pediatric section. In addition, there will be an urgent care department, a teaching kitchen and wellness center, and an onsite lab and x-ray. A Teaching Health Center on the third floor will house LifeLong’s recently accredited Family Medicine Residency Program. “The opening of our new building will improve our nearby communities and bring us all together as one big family,” says Guillermina Flores, the Clinic Supervisor at LifeLong William Jenkins Health Center. Mrs. Flores worked with Dr. Jenkins for many years before his retirement. “We will be able to treat all of the underserved members of our community.”

“I am very excited about the accessibility that this will bring to our patients,” Mrs. Flores continues. “I hope that this new change will continue with the legacy that Dr. William M. Jenkins left behind. He was very much loved in our community and nearby communities in the Bay Area. His mission was to always serve the very underserved.”

Staff at LifeLong William Jenkins Health Center stand in front of the new facility during construction. The new health center will serve the entire family.