Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
BEDFORD – The health care community in Lawrence County looks very different than it did a few years ago when it was served by two hospitals.
Indiana Health Centers is among the new providers that stepped up to ensure patients didn’t lose a local medical home. A Federally Qualified Health Center, IHC has 10 clinics in Indiana; three in southern Indiana. IHC Bedford provides primary care, behavioral health and operates the Women, Infants and Children program.
On Wednesday, IHC Bedford opened its doors to visitors and celebrated the completion of a $1.8 million renovation with a ribbon cutting.
Taking a primary care approach that is “whole person care,” IHC Bedford provides health care to patients regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay. With a staff of two medical providers and support team of 15, the center sees between 200 to 300 patients each week.
Ann Lundy, CEO of Indiana Health Centers, spoke of the response by IHC to become involved after Ascension St. Vincent Dunn Hospital announced it would close in the fall of 2022. Community Health and Wellness Center/WIC operated under the Dunn Hospital umbrella and IHC was asked to fill what would be a significant void in patient care.
“We answered but it wasn’t alone that we answered,” Lundy said.
Local government and federal health agencies worked together with IHC.
“We were able to react quickly and keep the operations going,” Lundy said. “We were seamless with WIC and that was wonderful, it did take us a few more months with primary care but to be able to do that is almost unheard of.”
IHC invested $1.8 million in renovating the space of the WIC and primary care office at 2415 Mitchell Road. The renovation was done in phases to allow the Bedford clinic to continue seeing patients.
“This is equity, this is what they deserve,” Lundy said of the new space. “If patients are comfortable and cared for, they’ll come more often.”
Dr. Aaron Kalinowski is chief medical officer for Indiana Health Centers. As a primary care physician, he told the gathered group that he has spent the past 20 years treating high risk, underserved patients.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important this space we are here to celebrate is for our patients and for this community,” Kalinowski said. “This space matters – patients served by Community Health Centers are often those who feel less welcome in private offices or who have often only accessed health care in a crisis, presenting to a very busy emergency room. This is a space where anyone, regardless of family background, educational attainment or financial status will feel welcome, where they know their concerns are going to be listened to, whether they will be respected and taken seriously, where they will feel safe.”
Affordable, accessible health care is an asset for communities that need a healthy workforce to grow. Access to health care also is critical to attract and retain population.
“For small businesses that can’t offer insurance to employees, a primary care home like this is important to have in a community,” Kalinowski said.
Indiana Health Centers also have navigators that help patients who are looking for insurance.
Lundy said IHC Bedford can also provide behavioral health care to address concerns that impact a person’s health and well being. In the future, IHC Bedford plans to add dental care.
“We look to grow significantly,” she said.
Southern Indiana Community Health Care, based in Orange County, is another new provider that stepped up following the hospital closure. SICHC offers OB and primary care services at 629 Lincoln Ave.