July 29, 2003 — The University Hospitals & Clinics will hold an open house Saturday, Aug. 2, noon-4 p.m., at the Redwood Health Center, to introduce a new medical team dedicated to serve Spanish-speaking patients.

The clinic’s new staff includes family-practice physician Enrique Baires, M.D., and Spanish-speaking nurses and administrative staff.

A brief program will begin at 12:30 p.m. featuring Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Utah Office of Hispanic Affairs, and University Hospital officials. It will be followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the clinic.

“A complete native Spanish-speaking staff is a first for the University Health System,” said Richard Fullmer, U Hospitals & Clinics executive director. The hospital has 10 Spanish-speaking doctors actively serving in community clinics. There are more doctors, nurses, and other caregivers, including a translation team, working at the hospital.

The University Hospital is filling a need that has been increasing since the Hispanic population has doubled in the past decade and is expected to double again in the next 10 years, according to Art Pina, board president of the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“This is a major step forward in helping the Hispanic population receive medical care in a comfortable environment,” Pina said.

An El Salvador native, Baires said he has always wanted to work with the Hispanic community. “I?m very excited to care for patients in a situation where they will have no cultural or language barriers,” he said.

Baires, who earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the U of U, said he is thrilled to be back in Utah and be a positive role model in the community.

The open house will include tours of the clinic and free giveaways, such as concert and movie tickets, Lagoon passes, T-shirts, CDs, hotdogs, and drinks.