Texas Tech Physicians-Abilene To Close Clinic in August

Texas Tech Physicians of Abilene, a family practice clinic and site of a residency program of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine will close August 31, 2008, announced Steven Berk, MD, dean, School of Medicine.

“As good stewards of the resources we have as a public institution, we can no longer sustain the financial needs of this program,” Berk said. “Care of uninsured and underinsured patients is very complex and expensive and financially supporting the program in Abilene was not feasible with our resources.”

Six residents are currently in the program, according to R. Michael Ragain, M.D., chairman of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Two are completing their first year on the Lubbock campus, two of the residents will complete their program in August and the remaining residents and incoming residents will be placed in the Lubbock family medicine residency program or moved to other programs, he said.

 “As a non-profit organization, unreimbursed medical care continues to be a challenge, and we just could not find the resources to support the program to an adequate extent,” Ragain said. “This closure is not a reflection of our commitment to the people of Abilene,” Ragain said.

Prior to coming under the TTUHSC umbrella in September 2006, the program was managed by Hendrick Health System.  To help with the transition to TTUHSC, Hendrick agreed to financially support the program for three years, but the program has become more expensive than originally anticipated by either party.

A Hendrick Health System spokesman said “We understand the complexities of funding healthcare and fully appreciate the costs of managing this clinic.  We recognize that closing the program may be the most sensible choice for Texas Tech at this time.” It was noted that Hendrick’s strong collaboration with Texas Tech in pharmacy and nursing will continue.  

 Patients can continue to be seen through August 31, Ragain said. Arrangements are in progress to make medical records available to patients who will be seeking other primary care providers in Abilene.