LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A new health center serving Culinary Union members and their families is set to open Friday near the Las Vegas Strip, offering a range of medical services at no cost.
The Culinary Health Center near Tropicana Avenue and Decatur Boulevard is the fourth facility in the Culinary Health Centers network. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13.
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Services and facility details
The two-story, 98,900-square-foot building includes 43 primary care rooms, 15 dental care rooms, 18 physical therapy evaluation rooms and three mental health counseling rooms. The facility also features a two-lane drive-through pharmacy, chiropractic and acupuncture services, and walk-in convenience care available until 11 p.m. for members without an appointment.
All services are provided at no cost — no co-pays, no premiums and no deductibles — to Culinary Union members and their dependents.
Network expansion
Jesus Vidueira, president of the Culinary Health Fund, said the location was chosen because of its proximity to both where members live and where they work.
“We built all of our facilities in areas where our members reside,” Vidueira said. “In this area, we have approximately 32,000 members that live in the vicinity. But it’s also a unique facility for us because it’s right off the strip where most of our members work.”
Vidueira said the centers were built as a way to manage rising healthcare costs while maintaining quality of care.
“Everything that’s delivered here or all services that are rendered here are zero — zero co-payments or zero cost to our members and their dependents,” he said. “To be able to provide this kind of service for zero cost is really remarkable.”
With the Tropicana location now complete, the four Culinary Health Centers will employ approximately 800 people, including more than 200 healthcare providers. The network is described by the Culinary Health Fund as one of Nevada’s largest primary care providers.
Member perspective
Aaron Mahan, a Culinary Union member who works at an off-Strip property, said he has used the health centers since 2019 and relies on the Tropicana location as his primary care provider.
“It’s great. I mean, free, good quality healthcare, how many people have that? Very few people,” Mahan said. “Our healthcare is not normal. Who pays no co-pays, pays no premiums, and pays no deductibles in this day and age? I can’t name anyone else.”
Mahan said a visit earlier this year for a broken toe was handled quickly, including an X-ray and a medical shoe — with no bill.
“I get my prescriptions here. I don’t pay anything,” he said.
By the numbers
The first Culinary Health Center opened on Nellis Boulevard in June 2017. The network has since provided more than 573,550 primary care visits to union families. The Tropicana facility is expected to handle approximately 100,000 patient visits annually.
The four centers are now strategically located across the Las Vegas Valley, serving more than 120,000 Culinary Union members and their families.
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