The Jamestown Family Health Clinic isn't a good option right now for those Sherwood Medical Group patients seeking a new health care provider, but that will change by the time Sherwood closes.

The tribe is "very cognizant" of the community's predicament and has plans to increase its ability to take more patients, said Gene Burwell, health administrator for the Jamestown S'Klallam tribe.

"It probably will take six to 12 weeks to complete the physician recruiting and other things.

"So we hope by mid- to late September - just when Sherwood is closing - we'll have some plans in place to take more patients than we can now" he said.

Right now, the clinic has "a limited availability" to take new patients, Burwell said.

Dr. Tim Guthrie is taking new patients, but the catch is that he limits his patients to those interested in a naturopathic and holistic approach, he said.

Anyone interested in becoming a patient at the clinic can stop by the current building at 777 N. Fifth Ave., Burwell said.

"The only thing unique about the clinic is it is owned by the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe.

"Otherwise, it's business as usual, like any clinic anywhere in the country. We provide the same medicine, use the same providers and accept the same insurance," Burwell said.

The clinic has five MDs, one doctor of osteopathy and five advanced registered nurse practitioners in family practice, plus three MDs and one ARNP in Ob/Gyn.

The clinic is not directly funded through the Indian Health Services and therefore cannot provide free services.

It is affiliated with the University of Washington's Department of Family Medicine, and some physicians are U.W. faculty members.

The clinic also serves as a rural training center for physicians from the University's Family Medicine Residency Program.

Reach Brian Gawley at bgawley@sequimgazette.com.