Reynolds Army Community Hospital opens clinic

By Capt. Charlie Dietz, 214th Fires Brigade Public Affairs OfficerAugust 14, 2014

Fires Center Clinic
Maj. Gen. John Rossi (left), Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, and post leaders cut a ribbon to open the remodeled Fires Center Clinic Aug. 8, 2014. The new clinic brings together all personnel and resources from the artill... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. (Aug. 14, 2014) -- Reynolds Army Community Hospital with the help of Maj. Gen. John Rossi, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, and other post commanders

debuted the new Fires Center Clinic during a ceremony Aug. 8.

"This new Fires Center Clinic has been a strategic vision of the hospital leadership for over a decade,"

said Col. Noel Cárdenas, RACH commander.

Along with a fresh, new look of neon lighted water tanks, slick metal brigade crests showcased along the walls and furniture to match the modern layout, a centralized staff area is also new.

"This will enhance our health care services for Soldiers by bringing everyone together in one place

rather than having providers spread out," said Dr. (Maj.) Norberto Rodriguez, 214th Fires Brigade surgeon and clinic officer in charge.

The clinic has been developing for more than a decade. In 2002, prior to the Fires Center Clinic,

Soldiers were seen at Crusader and Paladin clinics for two years until they were brought together to

form the Redleg clinic which supported all artillery brigades. The Redleg clinic was transformed with a Soldier Center Care model that was developed by the III Corps artillery surgeon along with RACH. The SCC model was recognized with numerous awards for patient satisfaction and access to care. The model allowed Soldiers to bypass the sick call process and be seen with an appointment by a brigade health care representative the same day. This new development of care set the standard for

the rest of the Army worldwide.

Last year, construction began on the clinic, however, efficient and quality health care continued.This

happened despite operations being split on the second floor and in the area the construction was occurring.

"Reynolds has partnered with our Fort Sill Fires brigades to provide quality health care to our nation's finest," said Cárdenas. "The consolidation of the brigade's medical personnel and resources will ensure our Soldiers receive the same level of health care as our other Fort Sillbeneficiaries."

"This is smart and adds to the great reputation this facility has, ultimately helping us enhance our

Soldiers and our force," said Rossi. "The Army is getting smaller and one of the things we are directed to do is find a way to be more efficient with less resources then we have had the past 15 years , and that is exactly what this effort is."