(Bakersfield, California) – A celebration in Bakersfield took place today, as Valley Children’s officially opened Eagle Oaks Specialty Care Center. Friday’s event included a ribbon cutting ceremony, program and tours of the outpatient center. More than 400 people attended, including Valley Children’s representatives, grateful families, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, Kern County Supervisor Mick Gleason, Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Nick Ortiz, community leaders and David Carr, co-owner of Carr Elite in Bakersfield, former professional quarterback and NFL Network analyst.
“This is an important day for the entire Valley Children’s family and the families we are privileged to serve in Kern County,” says Todd Suntrapak, President and CEO of Valley Children’s Healthcare. “Eagle Oaks is the culmination of decades of commitment children in this region. This entire complex is designed for kids, to help them heal and to keep them closer to home.”
Eagle Oaks Specialty Care Center currently offers services in 10 pediatric specialties: Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Hematology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Orthopaedics, Otolaryngology (ENT), Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Urology. Over time, Valley Children’s will add: Genetics, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pulmonology and Rheumatology/Immunology.
“I’ve lived in New York, Houston and San Francisco and Valley Children’s is the best,” says David Carr. “It’s the absolute best. For this to be right here at home in Bakersfield, I couldn’t be happier. This is truly a blessing.” The Carr family has five children. Three of them have type 1 diabetes and receive care from Valley Children’s pediatric endocrinologists.
“Each year, more and more Kern County families are turning to Valley Children’s for their care,” adds Mr. Suntrapak. “Children from this area make thousands of visits to Valley Children’s. With Eagle Oaks Specialty Care Center now open, almost all of the outpatient visits will one day take place right here in Bakersfield. We remain committed to having all families in our region be within 30 minutes or 30 miles of Valley Children’s specialists. That’s what best for kids.”
Valley Children’s currently has specialty care centers in Fresno, Merced, Visalia and Modesto. Two more are under construction in Modesto (February 2019) and Fowler (Spring 2019). Plans are also underway to build additional specialty care centers in Visalia and north Fresno.
For more information on Valley Children’s services in Kern County, please visit www.valleychildrens.org/eagleoaks