Nurse practitioner opens health clinic

Practice caters to patients with little or no insurance

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"I wanted to be like Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, helping people in rural places, only I'd be in a van," said Jenny Mitchell, founder of Needlerock Family Health Clinic.

Mitchell, a nurse practitioner, opened the nonprofit health clinic two years ago with every intention of making it mobile.

The Rancho High School graduate began working as a registered nurse in local hospitals almost 30 years ago. She became a nurse practitioner and began running her clinic after receiving master's degrees from Kentucky Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing and Case Western University.

"Nurse practitioners have more education, clinical and assessment skills and can write prescriptions," Mitchell said.

In the state of Nevada nurse practitioners can work independently but are required to collaborate with a physician.

Mitchell said her long-term goal is for the clinic to go mobile -- a medical van can cost up to $300,000 -- but for now she is raising funds to get equipment and medical supplies for the facility she runs in northwest Las Vegas. The clinic needs a new exam table and an EKG machine.

"I've gotten calls from people saying, 'I've been here at QuickCare for six hours. Can you see me?' " said Mitchell. "QuickCare costs $110 just to walk in."

Landon McAdams said he had been holding out on going to a doctor, even though his throat and ears were bothering him, because he still had four months left at his new job before he qualified for health insurance. He said the pain got so bad he was going to go to the emergency room when his brother told him about the clinic.

"I came here, got right in and got a prescription that night," McAdams said.

Mitchell said the cost of medical care can make a sick person think twice before visiting a provider, so she understands how most people don't consider annual physicals.

"Preventative care is number one in trying to keep people from becoming sick," she said.

Needlerock provides all primary care services including baby check-ups, school and work physicals, referrals for specialized care and women's health services, including breast and pelvic exams, birth control and referrals for mammograms. It also provides treatment for short-term illnesses such as a sore throat, cough and earaches.

The clinic is set up to help uninsured and under-insured patients, although insured patients are welcome. The fee is $35 for a medical visit and there could be extra fees for additional tests ranging from $5 to $20.

There are no prescription call-ins. All patients must see a provider. Visits can be used as a tax write-off because of the clinic's nonprofit status.

Mitchell runs all aspects of Needlerock on her own, though she does operate, according to state law, in collaboration with a local physician.

The clinic is approved to take Medicaid but has yet to get into taking other insurances because of the staff medical billing would require.

The clinic will take part in a health education fair and fundraiser to be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 22 at 4107 W. Cheyenne Ave. Representatives from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association will be on hand to give information and perform various screenings. There also will be raffles, prizes and medical books for sale.

For more information, call 858-5336.