By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – After opening in Feb. 2012 and spending the last year and a half without a full-time physician, Trinity Medical Clinics in Chelsea is welcoming Dr. Thomas McFaden to its full-time staff.

McFaden, who began work July 15, is board certified in family medicine and comes to Chelsea from Mobile, where he finished his residency after graduating from UAB’s School of Medicine.

Community members will have the opportunity to meet McFaden at a ribbon cutting ceremony and clinic open house Aug. 27, which will last from 4:30-7 p.m. Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven and Trinity Medical Center CEO Keith Granger will join McFaden in cutting the ceremonial ribbon at 5:30.

There will be refreshments, door prizes, free blood pressure checks and tours of the clinic during the open house.

“We’re very excited about the new hospital,” McFaden said. “It was in the process of litigation when I first interviewed, and right when I was signing my contract, the final case was dismissed.

“It’s going to be great. Chelsea is a growing community, and it’ll be great to have a hospital down the road.”

For sick visits, McFaden said he can see everyone, from newborns to 98 year olds.

The clinic also has specialists that rotate throughout the week, including several OBGYNs and an endocrinologist. The offers ultrasounds and lab services and will offer X-rays in the future.

McFaden said the clinic is currently working to build up a patient base, as many people have gone to other places with permanent doctors before his arrival, but he is looking forward to building those relationships.

“It’s going to be nice to be in a permanent spot and build up a practice and build up relationships with patients,” he said. “The cool thing about family medicine is the continuity of care – seeing all the same people and being able to fine-tune preventative health care.”

He also said he is looking forward to the grand opening.

“I think it’s going to be fun,” he said. “I hope people will come.”

Trinity Medical Clinics – Chelsea is located at 331 Chelsea Corners Way in Chelsea. Walk ins are welcome. For more information, call 678-7779 or visit Trinitymedicalclinics.com.