Folsom hosts first Shriners Children's Outpatient Clinic

The Sacramento Shriners Children's Northern California Hospital opened its first outpatient clinic last month in Folsom. Although the clinic saw its first patient on March 19, the hospital formally opened its outpatient services with a grand opening hosted by the Folsom Chamber of Commerce on March 26 that included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with many in attendance. The Shriners hospital system has been around since 1923, created by Freemasons under a concordant body called "Shriner's," as the name originates from the formal title of "Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine." Since, the local Ben Ali Shrine Temple in Sacramento has been one of the Northern California philanthropic leaders for the Shriners Children's Hospitals. Shriners stand out for wearing a fez, a reference to Fez, Morocco, where the red hats originated and also known being the "world's greatest philanthropy" for offering hospital care for children up to age 18 in a family unable to pay for their treatable medical conditions. The Sacramento Northern California Shriners Hospital offers specialized pediatric services in orthopedic surgery, spine and spinal cord injury care, inpatient rehabilitation, cleft lip and palate surgery, prosthetics and orthotics. According to Joseph Lapalusa, Shriners Hospital board treasurer, "The hospital is one of the most renowned, being the top hospital for its burn patient trauma care and 23rd ranked nationally working alongside with UC Davis hospital for children's orthopedic care in the country." Shriners Children's Hospital Northern California Administrator Kenny Pawlek cut the ceremonial ribbon in front of an audience of about 100 happy Ben Ali Shriners, Masons, community members, patients and leaders. "We are pleased now to expand into the Folsom community, where we can see patients from Folsom, Fair Oaks, El Dorado Hills, Placerville and beyond," Pawlek said. "We are proud to care for these patients today and are excited to offer our services to them at a location closer to where they live and play. We are extraordinarily excited to be here as Shriners (services) continue to grow. We took care of 13,500 kids last year. We recognize distance (can be a) barrier … challenging for families to drive up to an hour (getting) to our Sacramento campus. We decided to make it easier for families in the eastern part of Sacramento to access our services. We will continue to expand those services to meet the needs of our community." Others welcoming the first Sacramento Valley Shriners clinic at the ribbon cutting included Folsom Vice Mayor Anna Rohrbough, County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez, State Senator Roger Niello (CA-D6) and representatives from the offices of Assemblyman Josh Hoover and Congressman Kevin Kiley. "This marks over 100 years ago Shriners international fraternity, having a proud heritage, founded Shriners Children's, with a mission to provide world-class care to the children in our communities," said David Kubel, Sacramento Shriners Hospital Board chairman. "Today, we continue that legacy by bringing communities (such as) this clinic (which) reflects our commitment to providing care to more kids in the right places (and) thrilled to have a physical presence here in this thriving community. We are so proud of our doctors, nurses and physicians in the communities we serve." Robert Tolbert, RN, Outpatient Clinic Manager, said the clinic is open Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. using six rooms with two providers per day. The Folsom clinic is for new and current patients and will be initially centering on orthopedic and sports medicine care. As patient demand grows, the clinic is looking forward to operating three days a week with six clinicians on staff. "This clinic gives us the ability to fulfill the mission to accomplish our vision with a 2035 endeavor (providing) the best care for kids (offering) incredible care through the Shriner system without having kids to take off (an entire) school or work day for parents to go to one of our facilities," Mark Hartz, vice president of the Board of Directors of Shriners International and Board of Trustees member for Shriners Hospital Children International, said. "(It is a) great relationship between the hospital, providers (and parents) at this clinic (having) the capabilities upon the great medical staff at our Northern California hospital giving them support (allowing) kids to be seen in our Northern California hospital for surgeries. It is obviously due to all of the incredibly generous people in society who contribute to the mission of Shriners hospitals for children every day." A $1,000 donation by Folsom Masonic Natoma Lodge #64 was presented by Pedro Sanchez alongside his fraternal members, Shriners and the hospital administrator in welcoming the Folsom outpatient clinic. The clinic is located at 1625 Creekside Drive, Ste. 200, directly across the street from Dignity Health Mercy Hospital. To learn more about the Shriners Children's healthcare system, visit shrinerschildrens.org/sacramento. If interested in becoming a Shriner, visit https://www.shrinersinternational.org/en/chapters/ben-ali-shriners for more information.