“We wanted to introduce the center to the local officials and show them what it's all about,” said Irene Dominguez, director of indigent health services for the county. “Joani Sarkis, of J. Sarkis and Asscoiates, will be here to answer questions and make a presentation on the effort.”

According to Howard County Commissioner Bill Crooker, Sarkis and her Corpus Christi-based company were retained as consultants to help get the project up and running.

Also during the meeting, Dominguez said she expects to announce the hiring of a project director for the health center.

“We're very excited about announcing our choice for the position,” said Dominguez, who sits on the county-based committee that was responsible for interviewing and choosing a project director.

County officials received word they received an $80,000 planning grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration more than a month ago to help with the establishment of the County Health Center.

Once open, the health center will provide basic health care services to the county residents, regardless of their ability to pay, according to Dominguez, who hopes to have the center open for business by Sept. 1, 2009.

For more information on Tuesday's community luncheon, call 264-2219.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it