Vanguard a practice that cares

Vanguard Medical Corporation is run like the medical practices of old.

The practice locations in Wasco at 845 7th St. and in Shafter at 565 Kern Street are rural health clinics.

Both clinics are primary care facilities founded by Dr. Chan Park. The clinics have three doctors, one part-time obstetrician, two physician assistants, two nurse practitioners and two chiropractors.

Chan H. Park, J.D., Jae J. Kim, M.D., Joon Moon, M.D., and Chibuikle Anucha, M.D., Jose Reyes, D.C., Alicia Garcia, D.C,. Mary Jane Maun Viduya, PAC, Ludim Vielman, PA.C, Denise Thorbrogger, NP and Kimberly Gonzalez, N.P. are all part of the medical staff at the facility.

If a patient comes in with no insurance, he/she will be classified under self-pay," Administrator Novira Sunner said. "We serve patients with many different types of medical insurance coverage."

Vanguard contracts with much major insurance. The services they provide include:

 Primary Care

 Well-Child Exams

 Annual Physicals

 DMV Physicals

 Sports and Camp Physicals

 OB Services

 Chiropractic

 Laboratory

 Adult and Pediatric Immunizations

 Preventive Health Care

 Pre-Operative Clearance

"We serve about 3,000 patients a month between the two facilities," Sunner said. "A new patient pays $118 for the first visit and a return visit is estimated at $80.

Some of the insurance carriers they cover include Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Secure Horizon, Humana, Kern Family Health Care, Dignity Health and Bakersfield Family Medical Clinic.

The facility takes Medicare and Medi-Cal patients as well.

Dr. Kim and Dr. Moon had their own private practices in Shafter before joining Vanguard.

The staff is friendly and welcoming to all who enter its doors.

"We serve patients of all ages," Sunner said. "We offer a more personalized medical office for our patients. We go above and beyond by helping our patients with their referrals and other things to serve their medical needs."

The clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To make an appointment or get more information, call 661-746-4937.

[CLARIFICATION: This story correct information that appeared in a previous story about Vanguard Medical.]