Work Underway to Turn Mansion Into Clinic
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana University Health and a medical care provider for low-income patients are teaming up to renovate a historic building in Goshen. The $2.2 million project will transform the Abshire Mansion into Maple City Health Care Center's second clinic. Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday. The building is named after former Mayor John Abshire, who purchased it in the 1920s.
Officials with the Indiana University Health Goshen Hospital Foundation say the new facility will serve 5,000 additional patients.
They say it will also support greater access for services involving obesity, smoking cessation, diabetes and mental health issues.
The organizations say the work will include improvements, but will “preserve the historic presence of the mansion.”
August 29, 2014
News Release
GOSHEN, Ind. – Two Goshen organizations committed to meeting the healthcare needs of the community took a major step Thursday, August 28, to further their mission and serve thousands more people in need of quality, affordable healthcare.
IU Health Goshen Foundation (IUHGF) and Maple City Health Care Center (MCHCC) began construction to convert the former Abshire Mansion into a new clinic. This second primary care office will increase their capacity to serve 5,000 more people and provide access to excellent healthcare to Elkhart County residents.
“One of the things that we [IU Health Goshen] really admire about Maple City Health Care Center is their exceptional, high quality primary care,” stated Randy Christophel president and CEO of IU Health Goshen. “…the way they [Maple City Health Care Center] integrate the patient into the family aspect of their healthcare model helps create the idea of a 'medical home'.”
IU Health Goshen has long admired and supported Maple City Health Care Center – recognizing its good work and its similar mission. In 2013, the IUHGF saw Maple City Health Care Center's success, and wanted to expand their abilities to care for the community – and began taking steps to fulfill those needs. Through this partnership, the 803 N. Main St. property will be preserved, renovated and expanded with new construction. This will create a much needed clinic, education and counseling space.
“The purpose of Maple City health care Center is to foster healthy community in our neighborhoods by providing and promoting affordable, accessible, integrated, quality care,” stated Dr. James Gingerich, medical director and founder of Maple City Health Care Center. “This partnership with IU Health Goshen will help us continue Maple City Health Care Center's purpose-driven healthcare vision.”
As of August 28, 2014, the IUHGF has fundraised $362,000 through donations from community members and three special donors:
-The Medical Staff at IU Health Goshen
-The IU Health Goshen Auxiliary Board
-First State Bank
As construction begins, Maple City Health Care Center and IU Health Goshen Foundation are seeking gifts and grants to meet the fundraising goal. These funds are what make this second location a possibility, allowing Maple City Health Care Center to continue its vision of serving the underserved and underinsured, fostering a healthy community.
IU Health Goshen Foundation:
Established in 2013 (because of the changing healthcare world shifting from fee for service to population health,) the IU Health Goshen Foundation mission is to inspire generosity, invite individuals and organizations to partner with IU Health Goshen to meet the needs of our community, and make the experience of giving transformational.
Maple City Health Care Center (MCHCC):
Established in 1988 to provide an affordable and accessible health care home to Goshen residents, Maple City Health Care Center believes in relationship based care and building community across cultures to care for the whole person. MCHCC offers a sliding fee discount for their patients to ensure they are able to access affordable care.
Source: Indiana University Health Goshen Hospital