CALL TODAY 480-600-3003

When people think of therapy, they often picture themselves talking to a counselor while lying on a couch in an office. While this type of talk therapy can be effective, some people prefer other methods. EMDR therapy in Green Valley, AZ, is an option for those dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other issues. Though different from traditional modalities, many patients reshape their lives and reclaim their well-being with the help of EMDR therapist Christy Maxey. If you have difficulty expressing your thoughts and feelings verbally, EMDR therapy could be a helpful alternative.
Service Areas
Healing That Helps You Get Unstuck

Every person grows and learns in different ways. To that point, every counselor or guide has their own techniques and exercises to help clients. Not every method is effective for everyone, but with the right guidance, you can defeat your inner demons and recapture your life. That's where Christy Maxey thrives.
Christy is a trauma EMDR coach dedicated to empowering people with the knowledge of true self-love. She aims to help men and women overcome negative self-talk and patterns and finally live the fulfilling life they deserve. Christy has a special focus on supporting women who experience anxiety, depression, lack of self-trust, people-pleasing, and feelings of inadequacy. Additionally, she's an expert in helping men who are navigating anger, stress, and relationship challenges.

If you have received help from therapists and life coaches in the past but find yourself falling back into the same patterns as before, know that you're not alone. The simple truth could be that whatever problem you were trying to face was left unresolved.
Essentially, you cut the top of the weed, but you didn't pull out the entire root. In a sense, you put a band-aid on a serious wound when you needed more comprehensive, specialized treatment. Unlike many life coaches, Christy Maxey aims to solve the root cause of your mental and physical symptoms. By addressing the cause of your issues, you can reclaim your life and move forward without the baggage you've carried for so long. Take it from us - it's an incredible feeling!
Some of the most common problems that Christy helps solve for patients include:
- Difficulty Dealing with the Emotional Content at the Center of Their Problems
- A Lack of Resistance to and Awareness of "What Is"
- Fear and Uncertainty About Making Changes
- Fear of Getting Compassionate Help and Guidance
- Believing False Narratives Associated with Past Traumas and Experiences
What is EMDR Therapy in Green Valley, AZ?

EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a technique that assists people in recovering from the effects of distressing life experiences, such as emotional distress and symptoms.
Created by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 as a treatment method for post-traumatic stress disorder, EMDR is an evidence-based treatment approach that provides both trauma-informed treatment and treatment protocol. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR employs bilateral stimulation to replicate the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of sleep. In fact, EMDR treatments have shown that the mind can heal from psychological trauma faster than traditional talk therapy.
Traumatic events often lead to negative beliefs and emotions, such as shame, anger, and sadness. EMDR enables your brain to reprocess such events, promoting healing, well-being, and positivity in patients.
If you're wondering whether or not EMDR treatment from Christy Maxey might be a good choice for you and your family, ask yourself these questions:
- Do You Feel Stuck in Your Life?
- Do You Find Yourself Stuck Feeling the Same Types of Fear, Sadness, or Anxiety?
- Have You Grown Accustomed to a Negative Inner Critic?
- Do You Feel Stuck with Feelings of Shame from Past Mistakes or Traumas?
- Are You Always Repeating the Same Patterns in Relationships? Too Nice, Too Accepting, Avoidant, Easy to Get Triggered, Etc.?
- Is Your Brain Full of Self-Doubt and Harmful Self-Talk?


How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

Once it's agreed that EMDR therapy is suitable for you, your initial sessions involve discussing your goals and enhancing your ability to cope with stress. In the following phases of EMDR therapy, you concentrate on a specific event or focus on a negative image, belief, emotion, or bodily sensation related to the event. You then focus on a positive belief indicating that the issue has been resolved.
While you're focused on the upsetting event, Christy begins sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps. After each set, you are guided to observe what comes to mind. Shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs about the event may occur. It should be noted that you can stop therapy at any moment if necessary. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps will be repeated until distress caused by the event decreases. EMDR therapy can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other forms of therapy offered through the Maxx Method.
To help paint you a picture of how EMDR therapy works, think of it like a cast for a broken bone. Unlike other forms of therapy, however, EMDR can be more uncomfortable than traditional treatments. It's important to be ready for possible emotional exhaustion afterward. To cope, you can create a relaxing playlist and plan some activities to unwind. Once the sessions are finished, take some time to recharge and decompress.
Who Should Use EMDR Therapy in Green Valley, AZ?

EMDR therapy is something anyone can benefit from. It's not only reserved for people with extreme experiences or traumas. Even mild cases of anxiety and depression can be treated by a trained EMDR coach like Christy Maxey. When you remember something that reminds you of a bad experience, your body might react like it's in danger, even if it's not. This is a normal reaction, but if it keeps happening, it can make you feel really stressed out. With EMDR, you can heal and learn new ways to cope without having to talk about exactly what happened. This can help you feel better and live your life without over-worrying and ruminating on negativity.
If you're one of the many people who have experienced lackluster results from one or more EMDR sessions, it's crucial that you do not give up hope. In fact, many men and women come to Christy Maxey having had poor EMDR experiences. Thankfully, they soon realize how impactful and fulfilling the therapy can be for trauma. That's especially true when combined with other therapies like Inner Child Healing and Guided Visualization. Of course, EMDR therapy in Green Valley, AZ, isn't the best choice for every patient - after all, every person is different and responds to therapies in different ways.
To truly discover if EMDR therapy is the right choice for your mind and body, contact Christy ASAP to schedule your initial consultation. That way, you and Christy can get to know each other better and discover the best ways to promote long-term healing and well-being. With that said, patients choose EMDR treatments for many reasons. Some of the most common reasons for using EMDR therapy include the following:
- Panic Attacks and Anxiety
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome)
- Eating Disorders like Bulimia, Anorexia, and More
- Trauma from Abuse and Violence
- Abusive or Violent Relationships
- Rest and Sleep Problems
- Social Anxiety
- Depression
- Childhood Trauma and Abuse
- Anger and Sadness
- Fear of Speaking in Public
- Betrayal and Grief

The Life-Changing Benefits of EMDR Therapy

Though EMDR therapy is more popular than ever, many people are still unaware of its benefits and how life-changing the therapy can be for people who are stuck. If that sounds like you, keep these benefits in mind as you continue to research this amazing therapy choice.

Triumph Over Trauma
Recovering from a traumatic experience can be extremely challenging, but EMDR therapy can provide a solution. Trauma can create triggers that make you feel like you're experiencing the event all over again. EMDR can help reorganize the thoughts, feelings, and experiences associated with the trauma so that you no longer feel controlled by it. While the effects of trauma may never completely disappear, EMDR can significantly reduce its impact on your life and enable you to live in the present without constantly reliving the past.

Enhance Your Mental Fortitude
Achieving personal growth involves accepting one's identity, building self-esteem, and understanding the internal narratives that shape our daily experiences. EMDR and guided therapeutic processing can help create a peaceful, efficient, and confident setting for individuals to accept their past and move forward. This therapeutic process empowers individuals, providing them with the strength and courage to confront any obstacle that impedes their well-being.

Reshape Your Life
During EMDR therapy sessions, traumatic events are broken down, enabling patients to gain a different perspective on negative events. This altered view can be as life-changing as the traumatic event itself, giving individuals greater control over how they adapt to the effects of trauma.

Overcome Circular Thinking
If you struggle with circular thinking patterns related to anxiety disorders, phobias, or generalized anxiety, EMDR therapy may be helpful. EMDR can assist you in overcoming these thought spirals by teaching you how to deal with your fears and worries without becoming overwhelmed by anxiety.

Understanding the Phases of EMDR Therapy in Green Valley, AZ

According to the EMDR Institute, there are eight phases in traditional EMDR treatment:
The EMDR Institute has identified eight phases of EMDR therapy. These are:
- History and Treatment Planning
- Preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitization
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure
- Reevaluation

History and Treatment Planning
During the initial stage of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Christy will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your medical and emotional history and create a treatment plan. This stage involves discussing the particular issue that led you to seek therapy. You'll also identify behaviors and symptoms associated with the issues you're facing. Based on this information, Christy will develop a personalized treatment plan that outlines the goals to be addressed using EMDR therapy in Green Valley, AZ:
- The Traumas or Events Causing Issues
- Present-Day Problems and Traumas Causing Distress
- Healthy Behaviors and Skills Needed for Long-Term Well-Being

Preparation
During this phase, Christy will explain the theory of EMDR, how it is applied, and what you can expect during and after treatment. Christy will then teach you several techniques for relaxation so that you have the tools to calm down in the event of emotional disturbance.
One of the biggest goals of this first phase is to establish trust between you and your EMDR coach. While you don't have to go into great detail about disturbing memories, if you don't trust your therapist, you may not accurately report what is felt and what changes you are or aren't experiencing. If your goal is to please the therapist and say you feel better when you really aren't, no therapy in the world will resolve your trauma.

Assessment
In this phase, you will be prompted to access each target in a controlled manner so it can be effectively processed. Processing does not mean talking about it. From there, Christy identifies different parts of the target to be processed. The first step is for you to select a specific image or mental picture from the target event (identified during Phase One) that best represents the memory.
You then choose a positive statement that you would like to believe. The statement should have an internal sense of control, such as "I am valuable/lovable/a good person/in control" or "I can achieve success." In some cases, when the primary emotion is fear, such as after a natural disaster, the negative thought could be "I am in danger," and the positive thought could be "I am safe now." "I am in danger" is considered a negative thought because fear is no longer necessary, but it is still present in the nervous system. The positive thought should reflect what is appropriate in the present moment.
During this phase, you will also identify negative emotions like anger or fear and physical sensations that you associate with trauma.

Desensitization
This phase of EMDR therapy in Green Valley, AZ, hones in on the disturbing sensations and emotions associated with your trauma and the ways that you respond to it. In doing so, patients often resolve similar events as well. The goal of this phase is to use sounds, taps, or eye movements with shifting focus until your subjective disturbance levels are lowered.

Installation
The goal here is to concentrate on the positive belief that you have identified to replace your negative belief(s). For example, you may have suffered child abuse in your younger years and hold the negative belief that you are powerless. Christy will help strengthen and install positive cognitions that reinforce the fact that you are in control, not the negative thoughts and emotions keeping you stuck.

Body Scan
Research into EMDR sessions indicates that physical responses to unresolved thoughts are common. After your positive cognition is fortified and installed, Christy will ask that you bring the original target event to the forefront of your mind. If she notices any additional body tension, those physical sensations are reprocessed. If you do not have any body tension or symptoms present when your original target event is brought up, your EMDR session is considered successful.

Closure
Typical EMDR sessions end with closure and a debriefing on what you can expect between your current and subsequent EMDR sessions. If necessary, Christy will provide calming techniques that you can use outside of therapy. This part of the EMDR process ensures that you leave Christy's office feeling better than you did at the beginning of the session.

Reevaluation
This phase gives Christy insight into any other treatment plans that may be necessary for your healing and well-being. Like any type of sound therapy, reevaluation is critical in determining the success of your EMDR treatment over a period of time.
Reshape Your Life with EMDR Therapy from Christy Maxey

Regardless of the events and trauma keeping you stuck, EMDR might be a viable solution for reclaiming your life. Christy Maxey provides patients with the safe space needed to do so. If you're ready to let go of past or present traumas and reclaim your love of life, EMDR therapy could be the first step on your healing journey. Contact our office today to learn more about the Maxx Method, EMDR therapy in Green Valley, AZ, EMDR online, and how Christy Maxey can help you defeat the inner demons holding you back.
Free Consultation
Latest News in Green Valley, AZ
Southern Arizona woman treated for snake bite amid busy rattlesnake season
Stephanie Bennetthttps://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/southern-arizona-woman-treated-for-snake-bite-amid-busy-rattlesnake-season
GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. - As temperatures rise in Arizona, more rattlesnakes are out and about. A woman in Green Valley was bitten this week outside her own home, but what happened next was quite unusual.The Green Valley Fire District says that this is one of the busiest rattlesnake seasons it has ever seen. First responders take around 15 to 20 calls per day to remove and relocate snakes and Gila monsters."We’re talking probably a good 2.5-3 foot snake," said L.T. Pratt with Green Valley Fire....
GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. - As temperatures rise in Arizona, more rattlesnakes are out and about. A woman in Green Valley was bitten this week outside her own home, but what happened next was quite unusual.
The Green Valley Fire District says that this is one of the busiest rattlesnake seasons it has ever seen. First responders take around 15 to 20 calls per day to remove and relocate snakes and Gila monsters.
"We’re talking probably a good 2.5-3 foot snake," said L.T. Pratt with Green Valley Fire.
On Wednesday morning, crews were called after learning an elderly woman had been bitten on her right foot by a rattlesnake.
The snake was apparently hiding in a decorative pot just outside of her gate, and that there was no coiling up of this snake, no rattling, but the snake just bit her," Pratt said.
Elderly woman treated for rattlesnake bite at Southern Arizona hospital
With warmer weather, more rattlesnakes are out and about, and a woman in Southern Arizona found that out the hard way. However, the rattlesnake that bit the woman also played a role in the woman's treatment. FOX 10's Stephanie Bennett reports.
Paramedics rushed her to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, but crews also rounded up the snake and brought it to the hospital.
"Of course the crews having that equipment on scene were able to capture that snake, box it up, and then with our communication with the receiving hospital, the physician had asked that we bring the snake in for tests," Pratt said.
Related
A Scottsdale family was in for quite the surprise, after they called for help to remove what they first thought was one single rattlesnake from their front porch.
Bryan Hughes, owner of Rattlesnake Solutions, has been out tracking snakes south of Phoenix. Their crews are also busy getting about 20 calls a day.
"You can call a professional to come and remove it," Hughes said. "More important than removing that snake is to figure out why that snake is there to begin with so you can prevent the next one."
On Friday, his team found a few rattlesnakes in Scottsdale hiding in the drainpipe of a church.
For this next three weeks, the snakes will be very active, Hughes says, but they'll become more nocturnal as the Valley reaches the triple digits.
"They also have a lot to do right now," Hughes said. As soon as the temperatures really get stable in the triple digits it's going to be too hot, so right now they have to eat, they have to mate, they have to move they got all this stuff, so that makes them cross trails cross backyards, cross roadways and that’s why you will see them."
If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, firefighters say you should call 911. Don't touch or handle the snake, and if you're bitten on the hand or foot, remove shoes and any jewelry because swelling will start almost immediately.
Installation of Rev. Craig Larson at Desert Hills Lutheran in Green Valley
Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCAhttps://www.gcsynod.org/news/installation-of-rev-craig-larson-at-desert-hills-lutheran-in-green-valley
Pastor Craig Larson will be installed at Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley on Sunday, 12/4/2022 at 3pm. Bishop Hutterer will be preaching. Reception to follow.Rostered ministers are invited to process, color of the day will be blue.Rostered ministers who will be taking part in the procession are asked to confirm with Mary McNichols, Director of Congregation Support, at 520 648-1633 or mcnichols@dhlc.org.A coffee and cookie reception will b...
Pastor Craig Larson will be installed at Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley on Sunday, 12/4/2022 at 3pm. Bishop Hutterer will be preaching. Reception to follow.
Rostered ministers are invited to process, color of the day will be blue.
Rostered ministers who will be taking part in the procession are asked to confirm with Mary McNichols, Director of Congregation Support, at 520 648-1633 or mcnichols@dhlc.org.
A coffee and cookie reception will be held following the ceremony in our Lokken Fellowship Hall at Desert Hills Lutheran Church, 2150 S Camino Del Sol, Green Valley, AZ 85622.
Pastor Craig Larson was born in Minot, North Dakota; graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN; and attended Luther Northwestern Seminary (now Luther Seminary) in St. Paul, MN. He was part of the first ELCA graduating class in 1988. Pastor Craig’s first call was to a two-point parish in North Dakota, St. Olaf of Rural Turtle Lake and Our Saviors of Mercer. He served there for five years. Listening to God’s call, he came to Arizona to serve at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu City for eight years. Pastor Craig was then called to be a Mission Redeveloper of Trinity Lutheran Church in southeast Tucson for five years. His most recent call was at Mount Zion Lutheran Church in west Tucson for the last 15 years.
Pastor Craig and his wife, Suzanne, are looking forward to joining Desert Hills Lutheran Church and getting to know the congregation. They have been married for over 16 wonderful years and have resided in the Tucson area together. They have two daughters who also call Arizona home which allows for a short drive to visit. Their oldest daughter, Andria, and her husband, Thomas, live in Mesa with granddaughters, Paige and Natalie. Pastor Craig always has fun spending time with them, and the little ones keep him on his toes. Pastor Craig and Suzanne enjoy vintage shopping with their youngest daughter, Monica. Monica keeps them busy with home improvement projects at her home in central Phoenix.
In their down time, Pastor Craig and Suzanne enjoy road trips through the Southwest and discovering the best local spots in each town that they visit. His mom and sisters still live in North Dakota along with their families. When he visits home, they enjoy the North Dakota State Fair, and every few years, they travel to Minot for the Scandinavian Festival, Hostfest. Pastor Craig is a lifetime Minnesota Vikings fan. (Some years are easier to be a fan than others.)
Pastor Craig looks “forward to us all continuing our faith journey and looking for the adventures that await us in serving our Lord!”
Cedar Creek Fire contained at 106 acres
Bivian Contrerashttps://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/green-valley-fire-department-responding-to-fast-moving-brush-fire
Copy This Embed Code: Ad Updated at 10:44 a.m.The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is reporting Wednesday's Cedar Creek Fire is now fully contained after spreading 106 acres.#CedarCreekFire is 100% contained at 106 acres. Crews continue to strengthen line & mop up any remaining interior hotspots. ...
Copy This Embed Code:
Ad
Updated at 10:44 a.m.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is reporting Wednesday's Cedar Creek Fire is now fully contained after spreading 106 acres.
#CedarCreekFire is 100% contained at 106 acres. Crews continue to strengthen line & mop up any remaining interior hotspots. #AZFire #AZForestry https://t.co/kWEjJCyGD9
— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) June 1, 2023
——
Updated at 9:45 a.m.
The Department of Forestry and Fire Management said someone who lives in the area was welding around 2 in the afternoon and that’s how they fire started. They said the fire burned at least 100 acres but said the fire isn’t spreading.
They said right now it’s at least 80 percent contained and said by tonight they’re expecting it to be fully contained.
As for any houses or buildings, they said those weren’t affected by the fire and said there were no evacuations.
They said crews will be working to put out hot spots tonight and tomorrow too.
__ __ __
Updated at 7:20 p.m.
Crews continue to work on controlling the fire and will remain doing so through the night and into tomorrow.
———Updated at 3:30 p.m.
The Cedar Creek Fire is moving north due to the wind covering about 30 to 40 acres.
———The Green Valley Fire Department is responding to a brush fire on West Hardscrabble Road and South Cedar Creek Road, south of Green Valley.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department advised through its Twitter feed that residents should be alert and prepared for an evacuation.
"Please take all necessary precautions and remember, if evacuation is implemented, DO NOT forget critical items such as medications, proper clothing, phone charging equipment, etc," PCSD said.
Stay with KGUN 9 for further updates.
——-Bivian Contreras is a real-time editor for KGUN 9. Bivian graduated from the University of Arizona School of Journalism with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast and is currently pursuing a degree in Broadcast Operational Meteorology. Share your story ideas and important issues with Bivian by emailing bivian.contreras@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Sahuarita Mission apartments in Green Valley sell for $8.8M
AZREhttps://azbigmedia.com/real-estate/sahuarita-mission-apartments-in-green-valley-sell-for-8-8m/
Northmarq Phoenix’s Investment Sales team of Trevor Koskovich, Jesse Hudson, Ryan Boyle and Logan Baca brokered the $8.8 million ($169,231/unit) sale of Sahuarita Mission, a 52-unit, apartment community located at 1091 W. Beta Street in Green Valley, Arizona. Northmarq’s Investment Sales team brokered the transaction for the Phoenix-based seller, Sahuarita Mission Owner, LLC (FSO Capital Partners.)Northmarq&rs...
Northmarq Phoenix’s Investment Sales team of Trevor Koskovich, Jesse Hudson, Ryan Boyle and Logan Baca brokered the $8.8 million ($169,231/unit) sale of Sahuarita Mission, a 52-unit, apartment community located at 1091 W. Beta Street in Green Valley, Arizona. Northmarq’s Investment Sales team brokered the transaction for the Phoenix-based seller, Sahuarita Mission Owner, LLC (FSO Capital Partners.)
Northmarq’s Debt and Equity team of Bryan Mummaw, Bryan Liu, Brandon Harrington, Christopher Gitibin, Brad Burns and Tyler Woodard provided financing for the buyer, WNC Apartment Ventures, LLC from Cypress, California, through its relationship with Freddie Mac securing a $5.93 million loan.
READ MORE: 50 commercial real estate companies to watch in 2023
“The buyer saw the opportunity for future revenue growth with 90 percent of the units now able to be rented at market rate as the property recently completed it’s 3-year deregulation period,” said Hudson. Built as an affordable community in 2000, 47 of the units are now able to be leased at market rate rents, with five units reserved for state HOME units with 50 and 60 percent AMI restrictions through July 2030. “Given our strong relationship with Freddie Mac and more specifically, the Targeted Affordable Housing programs, we were able to deliver very competitive terms to the borrower and push leverage in a choppy lending environment,” said Mummaw.
Sahuarita Mission was built in 2000 as an affordable community with four buildings, two- and three-story, on 2.88-acres. The previous owners recently invested over $350,000 in capital expenditures for improvements to roofs, HVACs, and both interior and exterior improvements to the community. The fully leased property includes two- and three-bedroom units that range in size from 822 sq. ft. to 1,013 sq. ft. The property includes a community clubhouse, children’s playground, picnic area with grill, laundry facilities and on-site leasing office. The units feature walk-in closets, balcony or patio, plush carpet and automatic dishwashers.
“There is additional opportunity for the buyers to increase revenue by implementing an interior renovation program to the units as well as adding income producing features like in-unit washers and dryers,” explained Hudson.
Sahuarita Mission is located in Green Valley, Arizona, located in Pima County and approximately 25 miles south of Tucson. The overall vacancy rate in the Tucson multifamily market was 7.4 percent at yearend 2022. Click here to read the full fourth quarter 2022 Tucson Multifamily Market Insights report.
Green Valley's only hospital closes amidst financial woes
Sarah Lapidushttps://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/07/07/green-valleys-only-hospital-closes-amidst-financial-woes/7825209001/
The Santa Cruz Regional Valley Hospital closed down last week, after years of financial struggles. Located 30 miles south of Tucson, it was Green Valley’s only hospital.The closure occurred after TMC HealthCare, a large healthcare provider in southern Arizona, backed out of acquiring the hospital last month.TMC Health worked with the hospital on the acquisition for seven months before it decided to back out of the deal.“After careful due diligence, the decision was made to not proceed with the ...
The Santa Cruz Regional Valley Hospital closed down last week, after years of financial struggles. Located 30 miles south of Tucson, it was Green Valley’s only hospital.
The closure occurred after TMC HealthCare, a large healthcare provider in southern Arizona, backed out of acquiring the hospital last month.
TMC Health worked with the hospital on the acquisition for seven months before it decided to back out of the deal.
“After careful due diligence, the decision was made to not proceed with the acquisition of the hospital," said TMC Health in a statement. "We are working closely with management at Santa Cruz to identify appropriate placements for as many employees as possible. We continue to explore opportunities to provide needed medical services to the Green Valley community.”
According to the Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital's website, the 7-year-old hospital ceased all services at 12 p.m. Thursday. The 49-bed facility served Green Valley, Sahuarita, Nogales, Rio Rico, Tubac, Amado, Patagonia and Sonoita.
On June 20, a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice was issued stating that 315 employees would be affected by the closure.
WARN requires “employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs,” according to the state’s Department of Economic Security website.
Closure was caused by a 'perfect storm' of events
Pima County District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy said there was a “perfect storm” of factors that contributed to the closing of the hospital from debt to lack of patients.
Christy said many residents chose to go to Tucson with its state-of-the-art medical facilities, and Sahuarita, which neighbors Green Valley and has an 18-bed medical center that opened in 2020.
Even residents in communities as far south as the border town of Nogales often preferred to travel to Tucson, said Olivia Ainza-Kramer, president of the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce.
“For Nogales and Rio Rico, our hospital is Holy Cross hospital, the services ... are very good and very good staff except that it's a small hospital. Whenever they (people) needed to be treated for something else that they couldn't treat here, they would be transferred to Tucson,” she said.
Representatives from the Carondelet Network, which runs Holy Cross did not respond to requests for comment.
The Arizona Daily Star reported on July 2, the hospital’s former CEO Stephen Harris said only about 15% of the people living in Green Valley used the hospital.
Another issue facing the Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital was mounting debt. The Daily Star’s article reported the hospital fell behind on repaying Medicare payments advanced to keep the hospital open during the pandemic.
Christy noted that with the recent downturn of the economy, the frequent change in leadership of the hospital, and the medical complex's complicated ownership structure, the decision of TMC Health to back out of the deal was no surprise.
According to Pima County GIS maps, multiple entities own different buildings and the land the hospital sits on.
Christy said the plan for TMC Health to take over the hospital was one last effort at saving the institution after years of financial issues and ownership changes. He called the closure “gut-wrenching” after the deal fell through.
Hospital has a turbulent past
The Arizona Republic reported in May 2020, that in 2018 Lateral Investment Management took over ownership and gave the hospital its current name after it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Arizona gave Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital one-time funding of $3.6 million from the COVID-19 Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund in May 2020 after hospital leaders said they were on the brink of closure due to a drop in revenue during the first months of the pandemic.
Hospital leaders told The Daily Star the hospital, which leaders estimated cost $79 million to build, had experienced “turmoil and financial mismanagement” in its early days.
Before the facility was built the area did not have a hospital or emergency room, and residents had to travel about 30 minutes by car to get to an ER.
“It’s very sad because in 2015 it opened with such high hopes and great expectations,” Christy said. “It’s a beautiful facility. I think it's indicative of what many rural hospitals are experiencing right now.”
Christy said there has been no talk about what will become of the complex that housed the hospital.
Hospital administrators could not be reached for comment.
Coverage of southern Arizona on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is funded by the nonprofit Report for America in association with The Republic.
Disclaimer:
