McAllen's UTMB clinic to shut its doors

McALLEN -- A McAllen clinic operated by the University of Texas Medical Branch has been shut down, weeks after massive layoffs were announced by Galveston-based UTMB.

All 12 employees at the McAllen facility have been laid off and the clinic will close its doors to the public on Dec. 4.

"It's very sad for the community," said clinic manager Cynthia Garza. "As an employee, you're out of a job. But where are all of these women going to go?"

The clinic's Regional Maternal and Child Health Program was opened by UTMB on February 1992 to accommodate the need for gynecologic and surgical services in the Rio Grande Valley. The center accepts women referred to them by doctors who consider them at risk of cancer or sexually-trasmitted diseases. The facility also offers follow-up care for women with gynecologic cancer who completed treatment at the Galveston hospital.

The center often sees undocumented teenagers and women who have no medical insurance or Medicaid coverage and who may be rejected for treatment elsewhere.

"It's so difficult to turn someone away," said Andy Sanchez, an employee at the center. "Some of these women might die."

Katherine Golden-Beck, the program's regional director, declined to comment Thursday evening.

According to the Associated Press, the UT Board of Regents said it was forced to make the 3,800 job cuts at UTMB because the teaching hospital was running out of money.

Hurricane Ike caused nearly $710 million in losses to UTMB when it hit Galveston Sept. 13, destroying buildings and killing at least 37 people in Texas.

According to AP, the storm is the most expensive in Texas history, costing the state $11.4 billion so far.

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.