The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s newest community endeavor is open for business.

The Jamestown Family Health Center opened May 17 and already has seen about 1,800 patient visits, said Clinic Manager Gene Burwell.

“We see roughly 200 patients each day,” he said.

The clinic’s official grand opening is scheduled for some time later this month, said Liz Mueller, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Council vice chairwoman.

The family practice clinic has 17 providers, including two of the county’s three OB/GYNs, Burwell said. At the old location the clinic averaged 34,000 patient visits a year for a total of 13,000 patients, he said.

The new clinic has more exam rooms and larger, better-equipped procedure rooms, he said.
“Even the waiting space is so much nicer,” Mueller said.

But Burwell doesn’t want patients to see too much of the waiting room, despite its comfortable feel, he said.

“We want to see them on time so they don’t even have to wait, even though the ambiance is great,” he said.

The building has a 23,000-square-foot first floor and 12,000-square-foot second floor with a lounge for tribal elders.

“It’s beautiful,” Mueller said. “Jack Grinnell did a great job putting this building together.”

A waterfall and stream run along the outside of the building near the main entrance. Earthy tones of green and brown give the main lobby an ambiance close to nature, with large wooden beams reaching from the floor to the vaulted ceilings. Behind the reception desk inside the main lobby is an entrance to the administrative offices resembling a longhouse, with a copper-colored roof and wooden exterior.

In July the clinic will expand its hours a couple days a week so patients can be seen from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., he said. Four medical staff agreed to the extended hours, he said.
The clinic is at 808 N. Fifth Ave., Sequim.

Amanda Winters can be reached at awinters@sequimgazette.com.