The Ribbon Cutting: Tribal leaders and community officials officially cut the ribbon on the new 25,000-square-foot Sycuan Health Center in El Cajon, the first facility in the nation to combine IHS, FQHC, and OSHPD licensure under one roof.
Last week, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation celebrated a historic milestone with the grand opening of the new Sycuan Health Center in El Cajon, California. HealthTECH Resources was honored to be in attendance as the ribbon was cut on this state-of-the-art facility.
Garrett Sprague, HealthTECH’s Sr. Director of EHR & IT Advisory Services, flew out to join tribal leaders and community members for the ceremony, witnessing firsthand the culmination of years of planning and hard work.
A New Standard for Care
The new 55,000-square-foot facility is more than just an architectural marvel; it represents a new model of integrated care. It is the first facility in the nation to combine Indian Health Services (IHS), Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and OSHPD licensure under one roof. This allows Sycuan to expand access not only to tribal members but to the entire East County community.
The Digital Foundation
At HealthTECH, we know that a modern building requires modern infrastructure. Over the past year, our team, led by Senior Clinical Analyst Darnell, has been working side-by-side with Sycuan’s leadership to ensure their NextGen EHR and EDR environments were ready for this expansion.
From separating the dental and medical network infrastructures to optimizing pediatric templates for the new clinic flows, we are proud to have helped build the digital foundation that supports this physical expansion.
A Partnership Built on Trust
“Seeing this facility open is incredibly moving,” said Garrett. “Knowing the work our consultants put in behind the scenes to optimize workflows and stabilize the systems that will run this building makes this moment even more special.”
Congratulations to the Sycuan team on this incredible achievement. We look forward to supporting your continued growth and success!
Reception & Intake (Left): A look at the new intake stations. Behind the screens, our optimized NextGen templates allow front-desk staff to manage patient check-ins and eligibility verification (RTS) efficiently, ensuring the “20-minute patient visit” goal starts the moment a patient arrives.
The Main Lobby (Right): Designed for the community, the expansive new lobby isn’t just beautiful, it’s built for flow. The facility expands access to care for both tribal members and the broader East County community, supported by a segregated network infrastructure for improved stability.
The Pharmacy: The new onsite pharmacy. Our team supported the medication verification workflows and file maintenance that happen here, ensuring that every prescription is documented accurately for patient safety and HRSA compliance.
Partner with EHR Specialists Who Understand Tribal Health
Tribal Health and FQHC environments require more than standard EHR configuration. Whether you are navigating a facility expansion like Sycuan, preparing for HRSA/GPRA audits, or stabilizing a multi-specialty network, you need consultants who understand both clinical workflows and federal compliance.
Connect with Garrett Sprague on LinkedIn, our dedicated Tribal Health lead, to discuss your current environment and find experts who understand the complexities of IHS regulations and tribal data sovereignty. He understands the distinct nuances of your world, from RPMS migrations to 638 funding compliance.
Garrett Sprague
Sr. Director, EHR & IT Advisory Services | Tribal Health Division
(480) 618-0423 x423 | gsprague@healthtech-resources.com
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