VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Visalia OB-GYN Medical Associates announced on Friday that they will stop providing obstetric care services by the end of the year.

According to officials, the last day to receive care from the medical team is Dec. 20. The clinic says the closure is due to a staffing shortage and the inability to recruit enough physicians "to provide the attentive, quality obstetric care every woman deserves."

"Please know that we consider ourselves privileged and blessed to care for pregnant women and to have attended the deliveries of thousands of Central Valley families," an online post by the medical team reads. "We thank all of you for allowing us to participate in your pregnancy care and wish you and your families all the best as you make this transition."

Although the OB-GYN will stop providing obstetric care services this year, the team says they will continue to meet women's health and gynecology needs beginning in early 2025.

Staff encourage patients to find a new treating physician as soon as possible. Pregnant patients can contact the clinic at 559-627-9284 for more information or the Medical Society of Tulare and Kings County at 559-627-2262 for names of other physicians providing obstetric services.

A list of obstetricians can also be obtained from patients' health insurance companies or by visiting Visalia OB-GYN Medical Associates online.