El Rio Health will begin operations in place of North Country HealthCare effective April 1, under the El Rio Health umbrella, using the name Elk Ridge Community Health. This transition follows North Country HealthCare’s recent bankruptcy filing and the subsequent agreement for El Rio Health to purchase certain assets of the organization.

By assuring continued healthcare coverage in northern Arizona, El Rio Health is ensuring continued access to primary care services for patients, and stability for more than 400 employees in the region.

“While there are many important details to address over the coming months, our priority remains providing a clear and stable path forward for North Country’s staff and patients. We recognize that exceptional patient care begins with exceptional staff.” said Clinton Kuntz, President and CEO of El Rio Health.

Beginning April 1, all North Country HealthCare locations will transition to operation under the newly adopted name Elk Ridge Community Health, a Division of El Rio Health. El Rio Health announced the arrival of David Rogers, MBA, as the on-site executive leader for Elk Ridge Community Health. Rogers has over 40 years of experience in healthcare, 20 of those years as CEO at another Federally Qualified Health Center. In a press release by El Rio Health it was noted that Rogers is excited about building strong relationships with key agencies and community leaders to improve access to primary care, which ultimately will lead to improved healthcare outcomes.

“We are eagerly anticipating the continuation of our working relationship with El Rio here in northern Arizona, as Elk Ridge Community Health,” said Dave Cheney, Northern Arizona Healthcare president and CEO. “We’re excited to welcome and embrace the extensive expertise that they’ve displayed when providing community health center services, and to support the stability they will bring patients and providers throughout the region.”

El Rio Health is currently assessing staffing needs at each health center and aims to fill previously vacated positions as quickly as possible to minimize any potential gaps in care for patients and the communities served.