NORTH CARROLLTON – The Carrollton Family Clinic is ready to open Monday, and owner Kara McKay says she is excited to serve the area’s citizens.
The new facility replaces the Carrollton Clinic, which was owned by Dr. Jenay Neely. Neely has joined Mallory Community Health Center in Greenwood.
As a nurse practitioner, McKay can do assessments, diagnoses and treatments for a variety of patients, including those with chronic illness.
“I can write prescriptions. I have a collaborating physician who will review 10 percent of the charts monthly for quality assessment, and is also available by phone when I’m practicing,” McKay said. “Should a patient need a physician or specialist, I will consult one or send the patient to see one.”
McKay moved to Carroll County from Batesville with her husband, Bryan. They have two children.
He grew up in Greenwood, and she grew up in Minter City. Bryan’s parents are the Rev. Dennis and Sue McKay, and Kara’s parents are Gene Mitchell and Patsy Mitchell.
McKay earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Delta State University and went to work for Sta-Home Health for 10 years. While working in Leflore and Carroll counties, she said she fell in love with Carroll County.
“It’s beautiful to me,” she said. “I thought I would love to live here someday.”
In 2003, she went back to DSU to earn a Master of Science degree in family practice nursing, which qualifies her to work as a nurse practitioner. The family moved to Batesville, where McKay worked for Mettetal Family Medicine in Sardis.
The McKays decided they wanted to come to Carroll County after six years there, but nothing was available until Dr. Neely decided to leave the clinic to work in Greenwood. The Board of Supervisors in Carroll County was interested in leasing the clinic and encouraging a health provider to come, and Dr. Neely recommended McKay. Two months later, she is preparing to open the clinic to see patients.
McKay says she loves what she does. “I see such a wide variety of things. It’s never boring. It keeps me on my toes. Just knowing you can help patients makes you feel good about what you do.”
The clinic will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “If we need to, we can stay open on Wednesday. We want people to know we will be available to them,” she said.
Along with McKay, Avis Beckwith, who has worked in North Carrollton for 30 years, will remain.
Gail Mann is the receptionist and clerk.
