New CEO outlines ambulatory surgery, infusion center and coming behavioral-health unit

Mike Clark, the recently hired chief executive of Community Health Development Partners, briefed the Elko County Board of Health on services at the Elko Community Health Center, including ambulatory surgery activity, specialty recruitment and a coming 16‑bed inpatient behavioral-health unit.

Clark noted that ambulatory surgery centers generally have a lower cost structure for patients and insurers and highlighted partnerships that support high‑risk obstetric and neonatal transfers. He described planned and existing specialty coverage — general surgery, orthopedics and interventional cardiology — and said the center opened an infusion clinic in November offering antibiotics, chemotherapy infusions and tele‑oncology in partnership with Intermountain Health.

The hospital representative later discussed capital projects and behavioral-health progress: the facility secured nearly $4,000,000 in capital improvements, installed a new 128‑slice CT scanner and is preparing a 16‑bed inpatient behavioral‑health unit with anticipated certificate of occupancy on Nov. 15 and a ribbon‑cutting on Nov. 19; the facility expects to see its first patient in early December, contingent on final certifications.

Clark said the organization is recruiting permanent specialists and emphasized quality and community integration. "We're performing very well here because we have a great staff," he said. Board members discussed licensure reciprocity and recruitment incentives to attract providers to rural practice.