Health and wellness care

Chico is the health care center of its region. In addition to its excellent hospital, Enloe Medical Center, with its staff of more than 2,200 people, the town boasts more than 200 physicians/surgeons, around 70 dentists, 20 optometrists, 17 chiropractors and seven life-support/paramedic vehicles. There are also numerous primary- and urgent-care clinics, including at least two that welcome Medi-Cal clients.Butte County’s Department of Public Health also offers a wide range of services, especially to low-income residents, and there are numerous facilities and specialists devoted to alternative and preventive health care—far too many to list here.

For a complete list of low-cost and no-cost services, see www.helpcentral.org.

Hospitals

Enloe Medical Center
Fifth Avenue and The Esplanade, 332-7300. www.enloe.org

Enloe Medical Center, a subsidiary of Enloe Health System, has several facilities located throughout Chico. The main hospital—called the “Big House” by staffers—is a full-service hospital and level II trauma center that also houses the Enloe Heart Program, Enloe FlightCare helicopter ambulance service, and an array of inpatient services including surgery, obstetrics and intensive.

Enloe Cancer Center
265 Cohasset Road, 332-7407.

This newly opened (2002), state-of-the art facility, part of Enloe Medical Center, is located in the newly redesigned Fountain Medical Plaza. It brings almost every aspect of cancer care, including powerful IMRT therapy, to one location.

Enloe Rehabilitation Center
340 W. East Ave., 332-6105.

This inpatient facility offers full-service inpatient rehabilitation care for those recovering from severe injuries.

Clinics

There are many outpatient and urgent-care clinics in Chico. Those listed below welcome Medi-Cal as well as other patients.

Enloe Children’s Health Center
277 Cohasset Road, 332-6000.

This well-run pediatric clinic is staffed by RNs and nurse practitioners supervised by doctors affiliated with Enloe Medical Center. All children are welcome, with an emphasis on Medi-Cal patients.

Chico Family Health Center
680 Cohasset Road, 342-4395.

Primary health care for families, including internal medicine and pediatrics. All are welcome, including Medi-Cal patients.

Women’s wellness and family planning

Planned Parenthood
556 Vallombrosa, 342-8367.

Family planning and abortion services.

Women’s Health Specialists
1469 Humboldt Road, Suite 200, 891-1911.

Women’s wellness, contraception and abortion services.

Senior care

Butte County Network of Care
http://butte.networkofcare.org/aging

This Internet-based resource offers not only a vast amount of information about senior services, but also links to numerous other services (for the mentally and physically disabled, for example) in Butte County.

Public health

Butte County Department of Public Health
695 Oleander Ave., 891-2731, www.buttecounty.net

This county department offers a wide range of public-health clinics and testing services, including for breast cancer early detection, HIV, hepatitis C, birth control and immunizations.