As health care providers, Community Health Alliance (CHA) serves more than 30,000 patients in Washoe County, many of whom are uninsured, underinsured, or low-income. 

Reno’s Neil Road Center, alone, serves 4,000 patients every year. Soon it will be able to help even more - a recent decision by the Reno City Council will award $5 million to its new expansion.

We got a tour and took a closer look at the Neil Road Medical Center and witnessed a lot of smiles, warmth and great healthcare. CHA leaders tell us this is what a community medical center is all about - personally connecting with patients to encourage the healthiest possible outcomes for individuals and families.

Community Health Alliance in northern Nevada ensures this by putting health care centers where they are needed the most.

“We have six clinics throughout Washoe County," details Community Health Alliance CEO, Oscar Delgado, “Our idea is that if you feel safe in your community, feel proud of your community - we wanna meet you where you're at - and be thoughtful about that.”

For CHA patient Reyna Reyes, the Neil Road Clinic is life-changing. it is walking distance from her home, which makes it accessible and affordable.

“En otras citas médicas, (me ha tocado) pagar hasta 40 dolores por un taxi para ir a ver un doctor y luego despues tener que regresar y dije no, no - eso no es para mi.”

(Translation: "At other medical appointments, I had to pay $40 for a taxi to go see a doctor and then pay again to return home and I said no -no this isn't for me.")

Delgado says providing quality health care for patients of every income is essential, especially for essential workers. “They're the employees that are out there driving the delivery cars, they're the ones that are construction employees and so forth, so we're happy to make sure they stay healthy as they continue make sure our economy stays strong.”

Meeting patients where they are also means Community Health Alliance has bilingual medical providers and staff - that’s a big help for Señora Reyna.

“Tengo viniendo 33 anos, aquí. Me encuentro feliz, no lo cambio por nada.” (TRANSLATION: "I have been coming here for 33 years. I am very happy, I wouldn't change it for anything")

To meet growing demand for healthcare in our region, Community Health Alliance expanded their Sun Valley Medical Center in 2022. Delgado says wait times are down, more patients are being helped and more services are being provided – a great success.

Next, the Neil Road Center is slated for development - in size and services  - thanks to the Reno City Council's decision to allocate $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

“It's amazing and hats off to the city council for seeing that -  putting community first and making sure people stay healthy generations to come,” smiles Delgado.

The groundbreaking for the Neil Road expansion is set for the beginning of 2025, with completion expected by the end of that same year. New services will focus on mental and behavioral health plus a  food prescription program.

Community Health Alliance is accepting new patients. Here is a link to their website – https://www.chanevada.org/