Melrose Clinic Reopening Under New Contract

Curry County approves two-year deal with Community Bridges Inc. to operate the clinic five days a week.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:00am

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A minimalist design in the style of Keith Haring, where a simple medical cross shape is defined entirely by glowing, vibrant neon lines against a deep, dark background, emphasizing the shape and energy of the healthcare subject.The reopening of the Melrose Clinic promises to restore vital healthcare access to the local community.Clovis Today

Melrose Clinic is set to reopen this summer after being closed since October 2024. Curry County commissioners approved a two-year contract with Community Bridges Inc. to operate the clinic five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new contract comes at no cost to the county and expands on former services offered at the clinic.

Why it matters

The reopening of the Melrose Clinic is expected to provide much-needed healthcare access to the Melrose community, as well as nearby Cannon Air Force Base and other surrounding areas that lost services when the clinic previously closed. Community Bridges has a track record of successfully operating clinics and filling care gaps in underserved communities.

The details

The Melrose Clinic has been closed since October 2024 when Plains Regional Medical Center declined to renew its contract with Curry County to operate the clinic one day a week. Community Bridges, an Arizona-based firm, will now take over operations under the new two-year contract approved by county commissioners. The contract calls for the clinic to be open five days a week, expanding on the previous limited schedule.

  • The Melrose Clinic closed in October 2024 when the previous operator declined to renew its contract.
  • On Friday, Curry County commissioners approved a new two-year contract with Community Bridges Inc. to reopen the clinic.
  • The Melrose Clinic is expected to reopen later this summer under the new contract.

The players

Community Bridges Inc.

An Arizona-based firm with over 30 years of experience operating clinics and filling healthcare gaps in communities across the western United States and Washington, D.C.

Curry County Commissioners

The local government body that approved the new two-year contract with Community Bridges to reopen the Melrose Clinic.

Plains Regional Medical Center

The previous operator of the Melrose Clinic, which declined to renew its contract with Curry County in 2024, leading to the clinic's closure.

Lance Pyle

The Curry County Manager who has made reopening the Melrose Clinic a priority since its closure.

Brad Bender

The Chairman of the Curry County Commissioners.

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What they’re saying

“Community Bridges has a long history of closing and bridging care gaps in communities and we look forward to doing that in Melrose.”

— Rob Neely, Community Bridges Spokesman

“There wasn't a large enough population to support the clinic.”

— Bill Priest, PRMC Chief Executive

What’s next

The Melrose Clinic is expected to reopen later this summer under the new two-year contract with Community Bridges Inc.

The takeaway

The reopening of the Melrose Clinic is a positive development for the local community, which lost access to healthcare services when the clinic previously closed. Community Bridges' experience in operating clinics in underserved areas suggests the new contract could help restore and expand critical medical services in Melrose and the surrounding region.