The Vinton Medical Clinic, a subsidiary of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, has begun receiving physician support by Allen Richert, MD, family medicine physician, formerly of the Grimball and Richert Clinic in Sulphur. Dr. Richert will be present at the Vinton clinic three days a week, and will work alongside Lance Waldmeier, the clinic's nurse practitioner, in caring for the residents of that area.

According to Bill Hankins, CEO of WCCH, this addition to the clinic is paramount in the hospital's efforts to continually enhance the level of service provided by the clinic. "When speaking with area residents during our hospital's recent request for the passage of a tax millage, a desire to have a physician present at that clinic was something Vinton residents made very clear,” said Hankins. "Their support in the passage of the millage was instrumental in Dr. Richert's arrival there, and we are truly thankful to those individuals for their continual support of their community hospital, and their community clinic.”

The clinic has been a fixture of the Vinton area since the early 1980's and provides several aspects of care to the residents of Vinton and the surrounding area. Minor and major illnesses from hypertension and diabetes to stomach flu and the common cold are treated at the clinic. Sports medicine physicals, preventive education and screening, immunizations, chronic disease management and minor surgical services are also provided. The clinic is not a pain management clinic. New Medicare and Medicaid patients are now being accepted. For more information about the clinic's services or to schedule an appointment, please call (337) 589-5951.