Andalusia’s DaVita dialysis clinic is not only here to serve patients with diabetes and kidney care, but is also focused on the community, officials said.

DaVita is a fortune 500 company, and is one of the leading providers of kidney care in the United States. It now serves patients on a global scale, but the bulk of its business is in the U.S.

Kim Hall, registered nurse and group facility administrator for DaVita, said there are 1,841 outpatient dialysis clinics in the U.S., and that DaVita serves 145,000 patients.

Hall said there are 41,000 “teammates” that work for DaVita.

“We have a very special culture within our company,” Hall said. “We strongly feel that DaVita is community-based. We really focus on taking care of our patients first and our teammates second.”

The Andalusia clinic has been open since June 25. They are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Hall said the reason why Andalusia was the perfect place for another clinic is because of its community.

“One of the things that DaVita really stresses is that each facility is a part of that local community, just like Andalusia,” she said. “A part of our goal is to serve our patients in Andalusia and the surrounding area. It’s not only that, it’s also to be a part of the community and give back to the community.”

Hall said in addition to treating patients who have diabetes and kidney diseases, the clinic will spread a lot of education out to the community for those at high risk.

“Hypertension and diabetes are the top leading causes of kidney failure in the U.S.,” she said. “In the South, hypertension and diabetes are on the rise.

“If we can educate people on hypertension and diabetes, then that’ll lessen their need for dialysis.”

In about two months, Hall said a Kidney Smart Class will begin to educate those who have hypertension or diabetes that want to learn more about their diseases in depth.

Hall said in the state of Alabama, 11 percent of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes.

“That’s compared to 6.2 percent nationwide,” she said. “With that being the No. 1 cause of kidney failure, that’s significant.”

In the Wiregrass, DaVita has clinics in Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark and Eufaula.

Upon opening its doors in Andalusia, Hall said the clinic is currently serving 12 patients, and is happy to accept more.

“We’ve received several patients that have left the Andalusia area to receive dialysis services,” Hall said. “Those that have left, have now returned.”

To contact the local DaVita dialysis clinic, call 222-1628 or visit www.davita.com.