Coronado: We desperately need doctors in Lyford, Texas

WESLACO, Texas – The president of Lyford Economic Development Corporation has made a desperate plea for a doctor or two to set up practice in his small, rural city.

Marc M. Coronado made the plea at an economic development primer hosted by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and held at the offices of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. 

Coronado said for him, better healthcare means economic development. He said he has made securing a doctor for Lyford his No. 1 issue as head of the EDC.

Coronado asked whether the UT-Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine and/or Valley Baptist Health System, both based 20 miles away in Harlingen, could help his city. He said his EDC would even be willing to provide land in order to lure a doctor to Lyford.

“We are desperate for doctors,” Coronado said.

Later, in a video interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Coronado elaborated on the points he made to TEEX.

“My little town has a small population of about 3,000 and one of the problems we have in our area is a lack of health facilities. “We’re trying to bring a doctor in. We’re trying to bring in a health facility. But it is a struggle,” Coronado said.

Coronado said Willacy County used to have around 15 doctors but now the number is down to three. 

Asked why the number has dropped so alarmingly, Coronado said: “Quality of life. People think there is not much to do in our area. But there is if people take the time to explore it. There are areas to hike, there’s fishing, there’s hunting. It’s a quiet little area that’s within reach of Harlingen, within reach of McAllen. It’s a great place to live.”

Coronado said he hopes Valley Baptist and UTRGV SOM will hear his plea and offer to help. 

“Yes, we’d like to tap into those areas that can help us bring in doctors,” he said. “They don’t have to take a solid presence… but they can rent in our area or they can assist other doctors that are already in our area to provide those medical services. The need is there.”

Coronado added: “The county has a population of well over 25,000 and it serves also Kenedy County and parts of Cameron County and Hidalgo County because people travel into our area to work.”

Editor’s Note: Here is the video interview with Lyford EDC President Marc M. Coronado:

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