St. Vincent, Open Door Health Open Anderson Clinic
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA new community health center designed to increase access to primary care for low-income patients is open in Madison County. Open Door Health Services – Anderson is a partnership between St. Vincent Anderson Regional and Open Door Health Services of Muncie.
Officials plan to grow its offerings to include pediatric dental services next year. It currently offers health exams and physicals, preventative care expertise, comprehensive women’s health care, on-site behavioral health referrals and many other services.
Tom VanOsdol, who is regional president of St. Vincent Anderson where the center is located, says it will provide "an affordable and easily accessible primary care home for all individuals, especially those most in need."
Open Door Health Services Chief Executive Officer Toni Estep says the center will focus on care for patients with low-income, uninsured or underinsured, but it will care for "anyone who seeks our services."
The need is great in the community, as the United Way of Madison County estimates 14 percent of Madison County residents are living at or below the federal poverty level and 28 percent are considered "working poor."
Effectively, these are the working poor, many of whom are uninsured or underinsured. In total, this represents 42 percent of Madison County residents who need resources and support of all types, including access to high-quality, compassionate health care in the right venue at the right time. VanOsdol says "unfortunately, a high percentage of these individuals presently do not have a primary care provider or a medical home and as a result, they utilize the Emergency Department at St. Vincent Anderson Regional for all of their care, including the kinds of illnesses that are most effectively treated in a primary care setting."
Shelly Sparks will be the primary care provider of Open Door Health Services – Anderson. The organization also runs a Women, Infant and Children’s program in the city since 2012.