TTUHSC Graduates Open Pediatric Clinic

Doctor's dream realized Homegrown pediatricians open clinic to give parents more options in medical |
11/04/2009
El Paso Times - Online

Dr. Isela Ibarra, left, and Dr. Angelica Machorro have opened Sun City Kidz Clinic, a new pediatric practice on the West Side. (Vanessa Monsisvais / El Paso Times)

EL PASO -- The dream of pediatricians Dr. Angelica Machorro and Dr. Isela Ibarra became true Monday when they opened a new pediatric clinic, giving West Side parents a new option when taking their children to the doctor.

Sun City Kidz Clinic, the new 3,000-square-foot pediatric clinic with a patient waiting room and seven examination rooms, is located at 4687 N. Mesa, near Executive Center Boulevard.

Machorro and Ibarra said they are excited to expand the options available to parents seeking medical care for their children.

"It feels good, It's been a lot of hard work," Machorro said.

Both doctors graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso in 2003. After they completed their pediatric residency training -- Machorro in San Antonio and Ibarra in Austin -- they returned to El Paso, their hometown.

For three years, they worked at other doctors' clinics but recently decided it was time for them to start their own business, Machorro said.

Ibarra said their clinic will improve patient access to pediatric specialty services not only on the West Side but community wide.

She said the El Paso area is designated as a medically underserved area, including for pediatric services.

Regina Tovar, mother of a newborn girl, said she does not know of many clinics for children on the West Side.

Tovar lives in the Mesa Hills area, about two miles away from Sun City Kidz Clinic.

She said it is important to know that she has a doctor for her child

near home.

"I don't think there are enough (pediatric) clinics for the number of kids who live in West El Paso," she said.

Right now, she said her daughter's doctor is located on Vista del Sol Drive, on the East Side. However, she has been looking for a pediatrician closer to home.

"As a mother I care for my family. It's good to know we have more health care services for our children in our area," Tovar said.

A grand opening celebration for the clinic is planned for sometime in December, Machorro said.

CHIP, Medicaid, and most major insurances are accepted. The clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

This is the second West Side pediatric clinic to open in recent months. Dr. Florence Nnebe, a board-certified pediatrician, opened Chinedum Pediatric at 910 E. Redd in September.

Information: Sun City Kidz Clinic, 544-KIDZ (5439); Chinedum Pediatric, 845-2229.

Aileen B. Flores may be reached at aflores@elpasotimes.com; 546-6362.