WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ)- The Rose Street Clinic closed its doors last month after Dr. Harvey Martin’s passing. The clinic had served the community for over 35 years and employed more than 20 mental health care professionals.

One of those health care professionals is Dr. Sonja Calliste. She has been serving the Wichita Falls community for over 20 years. She worked at Rose Street for 15 years before its closure and had a great relationship with Dr. Martin.

“He was not only my boss, he was my friend. He took a chance on me when other people may not have seen that chance. He motivated me, he inspired me, he encouraged me to get a higher level of education and he trusted me. It was just a bond that was unbreakable,” Dr. Calliste said.

After the closure, Dr. Calliste was left looking for a new practice to work at so she could treat her patients. Dr. Danny Bartel stepped in and provided that opportunity for her.

“She’s quite skilled in the diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders. It brings a new dimension to my practice. Before we farmed that out to psychiatrists and psychologists around town. Now we can do it on-site as a continuum of services to our patients,” Dr. Bartel said.

Dr. Calliste is ecstatic about this new partnership and is looking forward to treating her patients again.

“I want them to be able to trust me [and] to know that they were not left out in the cold and they will be seen. I mean, it was an abrupt closing of the practice. They were kinda just scattered, like, ‘where am I going to go? I’ve been seeing Dr. Calliste.’ [I] just [want] to let them know that I am here, not only to practice psychiatric issues but anything neurological I will be doing as well. I want my patients to know that I’m here,” Dr. Castille said.

Both Dr. Castille and Dr. Bartel are extremely excited about this chapter of their professional careers. They look forward to serving those who need their services.