Grand Opening of Coushatta Family Medical Center & Pharmacy in New Building

Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting 1:00pm Thursday, December 10

December 9, 2009

Kinder, LA—Coushatta Casino Resort’s medical center and pharmacy has completed the move to its new permanent location at 287 Panther Trail Drive, near the property’s north entrance. The center’s grand opening will take place at 1:00pm Thursday, December 10, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of the new facility by its medical staff.

Coushatta Casino Resort partnered with Take Care Health Systems to build and operate the health center. Take Care Health Systems is part of Walgreens Health and Wellness Division and the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and convenient care clinics in the United States.

In its new location, the medical center provides primary medical care, occupational medicine, chiropractic care, massage therapy, full service pharmacy and lab services, diabetic counseling, weight management and wellness programs. The staff includes Hernando Guzman, M.D., Nedra Jackson, M.D., Gary Mertz, D.C., Michael Sonnier, Ph.D., Craig Shilow, L.M.T., Brandy Trahan, L.P.N., Rachel Manuel, L.P.N., Bernadine Smith, L.P.N., Tiffany Matthews, Phlebotomist, Hazel Paul, Certified Pharmacy Technician, Laura Baudin, Practice Administrator, and several administrative staff members. Tammy Mitchell, M.D., is currently serving active military duty.

“It is the duty of the Coushatta Tribal Council to ensure the wellbeing of our people, and that includes our valued casino associates. As Tribal Chairman, I am proud to say we will now offer close, convenient, quality medical care to our tribal members and associates in this newly constructed onsite facility. Providing top quality healthcare, with emphasis on preventive healthcare, plus lower co-pays on office visits and prescription costs encourages a focus on personal health. And that’s a ‘win-win’ for everyone,” stated Coushatta Tribal Chairman Kevin Sickey.

In addition to complete pharmaceutical services, the medical center offers immunizations, drug screening, physical examinations for school and sports, minor surgical procedures, pulmonary function/fit testing, electrocardiograms (EKGs), and biometric screening. Coushatta Family Medical Center and Pharmacy provides care for all full-time and part-time employees of the casino and the Coushatta Tribe, their eligible dependents, and Coushatta tribal members and their eligible dependents. The medical center can be reached at 337-738-4414; the pharmacy can be reached at 337-738-3095.

“Coushatta Casino Resort has embarked on innovative health care initiatives and we’re thrilled to partner with the Coushatta Tribe to offer tribal members and casino associates access to high-quality and affordable health and wellness services,” said Peter Hotz, Walgreens divisional vice president and president of Take Care Health Employer Solutions. “Access to care is a key factor in creating better health outcomes for patients and this new state of the art medical center will provide a convenient care delivery location right in the community where Coushatta Tribe members and casino associates live and work.”

Coushatta Casino Resort is located in Kinder, Louisiana on US Highway 165 (I-10 exit 44), featuring nearly 2,000 slots and more than 55 table games including live poker, plus live Bingo, sportsbook and off-track betting. Phone 800-584-7263 for more information or visit the website at www.ccrla.com.

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