Health care provider expands to Lawrence, hires former Ascension providers
Responding to community needs, Southern Indiana Community Health Care medical professionals have set plans to open new locations in Bedford and Mitchell, according to a press release. The new locations will support obstetrics (OB) and family primary care services in the region, according to Nancy Radcliff, CEO. Primary care and OB patients who will be affected by the announced closing of the Ascension Dunn Hospital in Bedford now have the option to continue medical care locally.
Beginning in January 2023, Southern Indiana Community Health Care will serve patients in offices in Mitchell and Bedford. Beginning Dec. 12, local phone lines will be open. Patients desiring to make appointments or obtain additional information can call 812-675-4470 for the Bedford office and 812-992-5440 for the Mitchell office. Location addresses will be posted on https://sichc.org.
Joining the Southern Indiana Community group in the new Bedford and Mitchell offices will be Carrie Browne, MD (Bedford); Tricia Spoonmore, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (Bedford); Kristi Nissley, FNP (Mitchell); Amanda Bowman, FNP (Bedford); and Lori Day, FNP (Bedford). Other established Southern Indiana Community Health physicians and FNPs will also help staff the new offices.
Details of the new OB services include: Lawrence County providers from the Southern Indiana Community Health Care will offer local prenatal care for pregnant mothers. The women patients will then have the option to continue with a Southern Indiana Community Health Care provider and deliver their baby at the nearby IU Health hospital in Paoli, or they have an option to be transferred to an IU Health Bloomington or a Schneck provider in Seymour (or elsewhere) for delivery there, explained Yolanda Yoder, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Southern Indiana Community Health.
If patients opt to deliver in Bloomington or elsewhere, they will have the option to return and see Southern Indiana Community providers locally for postpartum and well-baby and well-mother services.
Comprehensive services at the new Lawrence County facilities of Southern Indiana Community will include whole family primary care. Providers in both Bedford and Mitchell will offer traditional family-focused health care services, including addressing multiple health challenges, chronic and long-term disease care, diabetes and heart disease issues, treatment and care of injuries, and a broad range of other health care services.
Former Dunn Hospital patients who decide to continue medical care locally with Southern Indiana Community Health Care will need to complete a medical care records release. A copy of the form and details on how to submit it are available online at https://sichc.org/new-patient-transition-letter/. The online information also details which providers will serve at each office.
“We at Southern Indiana Community Health Care represent an independent and dedicated team focused on local community health care needs, and the flexibility of our independent status allows additional potential advantages in terms of insurance networks and unique services,” said Dr. Yoder.
“Former Ascension patients may also appreciate the fact that our new expansion will be driven by the established vision of Southern Indiana Community Health Care, which includes a spiritual dimension,” said Radcliff. “Rooted in our faith-driven values, Southern Indiana Community Health Care serves as a pillar for accessible, comprehensive care of the whole person through collaboration with all community partners.”
“The teachings and life of Jesus as we know him in the Bible are of utmost importance in our decision-making,” she noted.
As a certified Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Southern Indiana Community Health Care focuses on ensuring healthcare access to all, regardless of their ability to pay. This includes services made possible through Medicare and Medicaid.
In addition to supporting OB and family primary care services in Lawrence County, Southern Indiana Community Health Care plans to increase the availability of additional services like behavioral and mental health during 2023.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Southern Indiana Community Health Care expands to Bedford, Mitchell
