Medical clinic can help during hard economic times - Doctors Rosado and Reynolds join the effort

FALLBROOK — Two local physicians, doctors Richard Reynolds and Rafael Rosado, are the latest additions to an outstanding community healthcare group. During these tough economic times, community health clinics are quickly becoming a safety net for individuals and prominent fixtures in cities and towns across California.

At Fallbrook Family Health Center – owned and operated by Community Health Systems Inc. (CHSI), located at 617 East Alvarado – longtime Fallbrook resident Yolanda Morales found out just how valuable this resource is.

Morales 45, is employed but her company does not offer health insurance. She woke up one day feeling dizzy, nauseous and not her usual self. She didn’t know where to turn.

Luckily, her daughter made her an appointment with Dr. Andrea Bower, one of the physicians on staff at the health center. Dr. Bower did the necessary exam and tests and diagnosed Morales with Type 2 diabetes.

Morales’ first visit was covered by a grant provided by the tobacco industry, Expanded Access to Primary Care (EAPC). Since her employer does not provide health insurance, the cost of her subsequent care is adjusted by a sliding fee scale based on her income and ability to pay.

“My mother was provided with her test kits and strips at a discount and is now managing her diabetes and doing well,” said her daughter.

CHSI is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide efficient, low-cost and high-quality health and dental care to the surrounding community, especially to those who otherwise could not afford healthcare services. They offer primary care, internal medicine, dental, optometry, mental health services and women’s health options.

Insurance is not a problem at the Fallbrook Family Health Center; all are welcome and payment options are provided through a sliding fee scale, local, state and federal grants, Medicare and Medi-Cal and other funding sources and insurers.

Longtime Fallbrook resident Jack E. Johns has taken on the role of chief executive officer for CHSI.

It is CHSI’s strong values-based philosophy and commitment to patient care that attracted the well-respected Rosado and Reynolds to join the group. Both physicians have a sincere interest in community health. They will be giving input and direction to the health center so as to better serve Fallbrook and the surrounding communities.

“I feel fortunate to be able to join the staff at Fallbrook Family Health Center at this exciting time in the clinic’s future,” said Dr. Reynolds. “I am confident that we can make a difference in the community by providing access to quality care to those who might not be insured or who otherwise could not find access to healthcare.”

Dr. Rosado was born in San Juan Puerto Rico but raised in California. He did his undergraduate studies at the Caribbean University in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and medical school at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan.

He served with the United States Army and was deployed to Bosnia Herzegovina during the winter of 1997 for peacekeeping duty with the First Brigade (Iron Horse) First Cavalry Division. He was honorably discharged from active duty in May of 2001. He moved to Fallbrook in 2007 to be closer to family members in Southern California.

Dr. Reynolds received his Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes College in 1967. He completed medical school at the University of Tennessee, did his fellowship in pulmonary medicine at Louisiana State University and postgraduate work in exercise physiology at Harbor UCLA Medical Center.

He served in the US Navy for three years; held the position of medical director of cardiopulmonary medicine at the VA Medical Center in Shreveport, LA; and was the head of internal medicine at the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton.

Prior to joining the staff of Community Health Systems, he was with Fallbrook Medical Associates. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease.

Dr. Reynolds’ office will be located at 407 Potter Street, Suite G.

For more information on Fallbrook Family Health Center, the Fallbrook Women’s Clinic, Fallbrook Dental or Community Health Systems, Inc. visit http://www.chsica.org or call (760) 728-3816.