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Jesus Vargas Jr. and Reyna Vargas holding 1-year old Brisa Vargas walk into the Palms Family Medical Center on Friday. Photo by Christine H. Wetzel.

Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Palms unveils medical clinic

While open to the public, resort employees receive priority service

For a $5 co-pay, Palms employees and their families can take care of their health problems by visiting the property's own medical clinic.

The Palms Family Medical Center opened recently at 4415 W. Flamingo Road, across from the $268 million Palms.

The new employee benefit should cost between $500,000 and $1 million, Palms owner George Maloof said Friday.

"The medical center is another nice benefit for our employees," Maloof said. "They'll save a little money on their co-pays, but because it's right next to the Palms, the convenience is great.

"Our team members can get quick medical care on their way to or from work," explained Fred Harmon, Palms human resources director.

The medical center is open to the public, but Palms workers and their families have their own waiting room and are given priority when visiting the doctor.

The clinic offers adult, pediatric, gynecological and chiropractic services, with physicians and physician assistants on staff.

The clinic's operating hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Appointments are accepted but not necessary.

The Palms has about 2,200 employees.

Palms workers have benefit packages that include a pension plan and a separate 401(k) plan, and the property's health plan includes medical, dental, vision and prescription benefits.

Property owner George Maloof said recently that he offers his employees the best benefit packages in the casino business, including wages for his nonunion maids and food-service workers that match their counterparts at Strip properties.

Culinary union leaders scoff at the claim, saying that Palms employees earn less than Strip workers.

The Palms is one of the first nonunion properties union leaders mention when it comes to possible organizing targets, along with The Venetian and locals casino giant Station Casinos.

"Our focus is on retention and recruitment," Harmon said. "Our benefits plan and our compensation plan are designed to attract the best people, and to keep them once we get them."

The center is the only casino-operated employee medical center in Las Vegas, Harmon said.