Peoria Times
14 BUSINESS
February 24, 2022
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Apricus Health to open new surgery center BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF
A Valley health care company has set its sights on the West Valley. Apricus Health, a physician-led and -founded health system based in Scottsdale, is building new surgery centers in Avondale and Surprise. “With so many people moving to the West Valley, there’s a large and growing need for high-quality health care services across the board,” said Dr. Kishlay Anand, president of Apricus Health. According to WESTMARC data, the West Valley is projected to grow at twice the national rate over the next five years. By 2030, the area will be home to 2.1 million residents by 2030 — up from 1.7
Apricus Health, a physician-led and-founded health system based in Scottsdale, is building new surgery centers in Avondale and Surprise. The centers are expected to open in mid-2022. (Submitted photo)
million. The surgery centers are slated to open in mid2022. Each is equipped to serve 5,000 patients annually. Apricus Health Surgery Center of Avondale will be located on the first floor of the newly constructed Akos Medical Campus on 107th Avenue and McDowell Road.
The 10,320-square-foot center will offer three operating rooms, two procedure rooms and 16 patient care bays. Up the road in Surprise at Bell and El Mirage roads is the Apricus Health Surgery Center of Surprise, a joint venture with Peak Heart & Vascular. The 11,196-square-foot center will include three operating rooms and 13 patient care bays, along with a cardiac catheterization laboratory for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. “These facilities will be staffed by highly experienced clinicians and outfitted with top-of-the-line surgical equipment, well-appointed patient rooms and SEE APRICUS PAGE 15
Mochilero Kitchen receives Peoria mayor’s award BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF
Mayor Cathy Carlat named Mochilero Kitchen the Mayor’s Restaurant of the Month for January. Located in the bustling shopping plaza at the southwest corner of 67th Avenue and Happy Valley Road, Mochilero Kitchen is a chef-driven and award-winning restaurant owned by Peoria residents and siblings Jorge Cota and Meliza Miranda. Mochilero, which translates to backpacker in English, was inspired by a backpacking trip Cota took spanning 23 states in Mesoamerica. Through Cota’s travels, he experienced the warm culture, authenticity and cooking techniques of each town, which is reflected in Mochilero Kitchen. “We wanted to bring back the hospitality we experienced,” Cota said. “Even if the home or restaurant we visited wasn’t fancy, it was about
Mayor Cathy Carlat is joined by Mochilero Kitchen co-owner Jorge Cota, Cota’s mother Norma Lopez, and members of the Mochilero Kitchen team. (Photo courtesy of the city of Peoria)
bringing everyone together, and that’s what we want to focus on here.” Cota and Miranda did not let the on-
set of a global pandemic dampen their vision or their spirits. They opened their doors in April 2020.
“We had a goal to open up, we had a commitment to ourselves, to the community and to the staff,” Cota said. “In looking at the news we realized we needed to change our plans to take out only, which kept us going until we were able to safely open our dining room.” Each meal is prepared from scratch using only the highest-grade ingredients, including prime meats and poultry and farm-harvested produce. While guests may find traditional Mexican dishes, such as tacos and enchiladas, each plate provides a taste of one of the many states visited. Their popular Mochilero mole plate is inspired by a stop in the Oaxaca and includes more than 45 ingredients. Creative options such as the veggie enchilada stack, roasted mushroom taco, red snapper zarandeado, Sonoran SEE MOCHILERO PAGE 15
