Northern Nevada HOPES marked the inauguration of the new Jerry Smith Community Wellness Center on Tuesday, a significant milestone for healthcare in the region. With a sprawling 43,000-square-foot layout, this center aims to extend primary medical care, behavioral health care, and substance use treatment to 12,000 individuals from northern Nevada, supplementing the 14,000 patients already served by HOPES.
The state of Nevada grapples with a critical shortage of primary care services, ranking 42nd in healthcare access across the nation and lagging behind in behavioral health care. “We understand that good health can enhance your economic well-being because it eliminates concerns about accessing and affording medications,” explained Sharon Chamberlain, CEO of HOPES. “We expect that by catering to individuals’ needs, we can contribute positively to the overall community.”
Situated on East 4th St. in the “Corridor of Hope” adjacent to Washoe County’s Cares Campus, the Jerry Smith Community Wellness Center fills a void in resources, especially for marginalized community members. Chamberlain emphasized the center’s role in providing comprehensive, accessible healthcare. “Our new clinic on East 4th Street upholds the high standards set by HOPES’ 5th St. clinic,” she stated. “We eagerly welcome new patients with an efficient and accessible process, including a walk-in clinic to serve a broader spectrum of northern Nevadans, particularly those experiencing homelessness.”
Expanding beyond primary medical care, the new clinic offers essential services such as a walk-in clinic for non-urgent acute care, an onsite pharmacy, case management, nutrition, diabetes management and prevention, and Medication-Assisted Treatment for recovery support. Alexis Hill, Chair of the Washoe County Commission, hailed the clinic’s positive regional impact, highlighting the collaborative effort among federal, state, and local partners to ensure equal healthcare access.
Funded by generous donors, HOPES raised $36,640,734 to establish the new clinic, covering construction, architecture, landscaping, equipment, furnishings, and a parking garage. Notable contributions include an unsolicited $6 million gift from MacKenzie Scott and a $5.9 million donation from the William N. Pennington Foundation. Par Tolles, a member of HOPES’ board of directors, lauded the center as a symbol of hope and progress, setting a new benchmark for community healthcare in northern Nevada.
