New women's clinic opens to address healthcare gaps in Texas Panhandle

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — A new women's clinic, a $1.4 million investment approved by the city council in November, has opened its doors to provide essential healthcare services such as HIV screenings, mammogram referrals, and prenatal care.

Casie Stoughton, Amarillo Public Health Director, highlighted the critical need for such a facility, noting that only about five counties in the Texas Panhandle offer full access to care for women.

"We know that maternal healthcare, especially in the Texas Panhandle, is lacking. We've got lots of counties that are maternity care deserts, so we know that women's health is a huge need in our area," she said.

A recent survey by Deloitte found that women are 50 percent more likely than men to skip medical appointments due to accessibility issues.

Stoughton expressed hope that the new clinic will encourage women in the Texas Panhandle to prioritize their health.

"As women, as moms, we tend to take care of others before we take care of ourselves. Being able to do that and be able to prevent illness before it happens is really cost-saving, it's life-saving," she said.

The clinic, located inside the Amarillo Public Health at 850 South Martin Street, features six rooms and specialized staff members for different departments.

"We needed a nurse practitioner to see our patients, and then we have some additional staffing, like our Medicaid navigation program. We've hired a medical social worker to help navigate toward resources," Stoughton said.

Women in need of medical care can now access the services provided by the clinic.