JUNEAU, Alaska – SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is thrilled to announce a major milestone in bringing more healthcare options closer to home. On Thursday, Nov. 7, SEARHC will open a new procedure clinic in Juneau, dedicated to providing high-quality, specialized care right here in Southeast Alaska. This clinic will serve as a convenient alternative to traveling out of the region, making it easier for patients to access a variety of procedural services.
Built to Meet Community Needs
The idea for the clinic emerged from an in-depth needs assessment, where SEARHC identified a pressing gap in access to specialty care for Southeast Alaska. This study revealed that 40-60% of patients had been leaving the region to get the care they needed.
“We knew we had to change that,” said Martin Benning, Senior Vice President, Chief of Clinic & Hospital Operations. “No one should have to travel far from home for essential healthcare services. Our new clinic is designed to address that gap, keeping patients close to their families and communities.”
Over the past three years, SEARHC has doubled its specialty services, bringing more expertise to the region by hiring specialists and partnering with major healthcare providers like Swedish Health System, Alaska Native Medical Center and Seattle Children’s. The new procedure clinic is a natural next step in this expansion.
A New Space, Designed for Quality Care
Located just down the hill from SEARHC’s Ethel Lund Medical Center in Juneau, this new facility offers a safe and well-equipped environment for procedures that don’t require a full operating room but benefit from the specialized equipment and staff available in a dedicated clinic setting.
The clinic includes two fully equipped procedure rooms, two exam rooms and a sterile processing area to ensure patients receive top-notch care. It will support services across several specialties, including gynecology, general surgery, urology, orthopedics, podiatry and dental care.
“Our goal is to provide the highest standard of care right here in Southeast Alaska,” said Dr. Cate Buley, Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer. “This clinic allows us to bring specialized procedures closer to home, so patients no longer need to travel to larger cities like Seattle or Anchorage for treatment.”
Focused on Community and Convenience
The procedure clinic reflects SEARHC’s deep commitment to patient-centered care. By reducing the need for travel, the clinic enables patients to remain close to their families and support systems during both treatment and recovery, strengthening the community bonds that are so vital to well-being.
“Specialty care is essential for the health of our community, and this new clinic directly responds to that need,” said Charles Clement, President & Chief Executive Officer. “We’re proud to be expanding this capability in our region, ensuring Southeast Alaskans can receive the highest quality care without leaving their home community.”
For more information about the new procedure clinic, visit searhc.org/location/procedure-clinic-juneau. To schedule an appointment, please contact your primary care provider for an evaluation and referral to one of our specialists.
About SEARHC
Established in 1975, SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is one of the largest Native-run healthcare organizations in the United States. Operating as an independent and nonprofit health Consortium, SEARHC provides a comprehensive range of health-related services, including primary, urgent and specialty medical care, dental services, behavioral health support, wellness programs, optometry services and more. We proudly serve 26 communities across the diverse regions of Southeast Alaska, and are dedicated to improving the health, well-being and quality of life for all people in these communities. For more information about our services and community health initiatives, visit searhc.org.
Media Contact
Kathryn Sweyer, searhcnewsroom@searhc.org, 206.484.0591
Download the press release here.