Residents of southern Beauregard Parish have easier access to health care than ever before, thanks to a new clinic that opened last month.

The South Beauregard Health Center, which offers primary care services, is an extension of Beauregard Memorial Hospital in DeRidder.

Kelli Broocks, hospital public relations director, said the decision to open the new center was made to give residents in the southern part of the parish more options.

“As far as Beauregard Memorial Hospital goes, we wanted to branch out into the parish,” Broocks said. “We wanted to give them an avenue for health care that would be closer to them and more convenient for them in the southern part of our parish.”

The center, which held an open house Wednesday, is staffed with one doctor, a certified family nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse and a lab technician who also handles radiology. Bonnie Peterson, director of South Beauregard Health Center, said the community has already embraced the new facility.

“I think at our last count we’ve seen over a hundred encounters, which is just excellent,” Peterson said. “We’ve been well-received by the community.”

South Beauregard Health Center accepts both the uninsured and people who have Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. It will eventually accept all providers, according to Peterson. It is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, No emergency services are offered.

The clinic, at 12186 U.S. 171, opened in Longville on July 1.

The South Beauregard Health Center in Longville is an extension of DeRidder’s Beauregard Memorial Hospital. It opened July 1. (Lauren Manary / American Press)