Purdue Opens Clinic in Small Town
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Purdue University School of Nursing and North Central Nursing Clinics have opened a health clinic in a small, rural community. The Family Health Clinic of Wolcott will serve the White County town, which has not had a locally-based physician since 2014.
The staff will also see patients from neighboring areas.
"The reality is that smaller towns struggle to attract full-time physicians, and this is our fourth clinic in central Indiana to help these rural communities," said Jim Layman, executive director for Purdue’s Nursing Clinics. "Providing primary quality health care is our specialty."
Wolcott has a population of 1,001. The medical office in Wolcott remained vacant until it was renovated for the Family Health Clinic. The building was acquired by the Remington Wolcott Community Development Corp., who leases space to the clinic.
"We opened on June 15 and some of our first patients were individuals who had not sought medical care since the previous clinic closed," said Suzan Overholser, director of operations at the clinic. "Because of the lack of care in the area patients needed to drive out of county, which meant taking children out of school or employees missing more work."
Purdue’s Nursing Clinics also operate three additional sites including the Family Health Clinic of Burlington and clinics in Delphi and Monon. More than 6,500 patients who have limited health care access visit these centers a year.
The staff of the clinic includes a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, medical assistant and office support. Purdue nursing students will have opportunities to work with the North Central Nursing Clinics as well as the staff.