Officials from Athens and throughout Henderson County attended a Blessing and Ribbon Cutting event Thursday morning, celebrating the opening of the new CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis Emergency Care Center and the expansion of their Athens clinic.

The facility, located at the CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic site on State Highway 19 in Athens, features new exam rooms, trauma rooms, a full-service imaging center, and a laboratory for easier access to test results. The clinical staff will include board-certified Emergency Medicine physicians, registered nurses, and radiology and laboratory technicians. The new Athens Emergency Care Center will accept ambulance traffic.

The existing CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic added more than 10,000 square feet. 

More than 300 officials attended Thursday's celebration.

Speakers included:

• Jason Proctor, Ministry President of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
• Dr. Brent Wadle, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic
• Heather Haimes, RN, Nursing Director CHRISTUS Emergency Care Center, Athens
• Samantha Mullens, Director of Imaging CHRISTUS Emergency Care Center, Athens
• Dr. Shuan York, Medical Director CHRISTUS Emergency Care Center, Athens
• Mayor Toni Garrard Clay
• Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney
• Dr. Steve Keuer, President CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic
• Chriss Glenney, CEO CHRISTUS Northeast Texas

Fr. Daniel Oghenerukevwe and Fr. Nolan Lowry were co-celebrants for blessing the ER and Clinic.