Ribbon cutting for new clinic

BLUE RIVER: The public is invited to the ribbon-cutting of the new McKenzie River Clinic at noon on October 25th. The new building replaces the original one that was lost in the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire.

Established as Oregon’s first rural health clinic around 1977, the McKenzie River Clinic is the only medical clinic in the McKenzie River Valley. It was spearheaded by local residents who wanted to address the lack of primary healthcare services in their isolated area.

Following the Holiday Farm Fire on September 7th, 2020, Orchid Health clinic staff used a van as a mobile clinic for emergency response, conducted wellness checks at patients’ homes, and converted a former quilt shop in Rainbow into a fully functioning clinic.

McKenzie Valley Wellness, a local nonprofit, built a new $2 million health clinic with a State of Oregon grant from the Fire Relief Act and insurance money. The new permanent facility was built on the original site and includes a space for McKenzie Valley Wellness and community meeting rooms as well as a state-of-the-art Orchid Health clinic with expanded services.

The event will feature a tour of the new facility, speeches from community leaders, and opportunities to speak with staff and patients who have been instrumental in the clinic’s recovery and growth. Refreshments will be provided, and attendees will have the chance to connect with the Orchid Health team and learn more about the services offered at the new clinic.

People are requested to confirm attendance with Jonny Cantrell at 971-317-6050 or [email protected]