NHC Awarded 3 HRSA Badges
Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) continues to promote health and wellness for all members of the communities they serve throughout Wayne, Fayette and Union. Annually, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awards health centers that have made quality improvement achievements in access, quality equity, and health IT. The awards for 2024 were announced recently. NHC was awarded three Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badges, which represent the incredible work being done throughout the organization. Not only do these awards represent in-state accomplishments, but accomplishments at the national level as well.
The first badge received was the 2024 Health Center Quality Leader badge. This milestone award ranks NHC in the top 10% of health centers in the nation, with the best overall Clinical Quality Measure performance. NHC was the only FQHC Look-Alike to receive this badge in Indiana and is a testament to the critical work being done by the clinicians and staff. The second badge awarded was for Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality. This award recognizes health centers that utilize technology to enhance care by utilizing an electronic health record (EHR) system, offering and expanding telehealth services, exchanging clinical information online with key referral providers, and engaging patients through health IT. The final badge awarded was for Addressing Social Risk Factors and was given to NHC for collecting data on social risk factors and increasing the percentage of patients who received enabling services between the last two reporting years. Enabling services are non-clinical services that enable individuals to access health care and improve health outcomes. This includes but is not limited to health education, interpretation, transportation, insurance navigation, and case management.
The organization has made other improvements in quality and patient advocacy as well. Over the past year, NHC improved by 5% in hypertension control, 20% in depression screening, 5% in tobacco screening and cessation, 18% in weight assessment and counseling, and increased MyChart patient portal activation by 11%. Additionally, over 2,000 patients were screened for social drivers of health that resulted in over 1,400 referrals for patients ranging from addressing challenges such as food insecurity, transportation, housing and prescription assistance. These referrals are made to community partners and further illustrate the importance of collaboration between organizations to improve the overall health and wellness of the communities served.
Lacrisha Whitely, Chief Quality and Information Officer at NHC recently celebrated these accomplishments with the staff. “These awards represent the tremendous job our team members do every day to support our patients in all aspects of their lives. It takes everyone working together to make these types of improvements and support patient care. We are incredibly proud of our providers, staff, and Governing Board at NHC.”
Great job to everyone who contributes and supports the advancements of Neighborhood Health Center!
NHC is going on the road!
September 2024
Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) is excited to announce a new mode of service delivery for patients. Through a USDA Rural Development grant, NHC has purchased a mobile medical clinic. Funding was made available through the USDA’s Rural Housing Service. This clinic will allow NHC to take care into the community where care is needed most. The mobile unit comes equipped with an exam room, diagnostic tools and testing, a vaccine refrigerator, and a wheelchair lift. NHC will offer primary care, mental health care, and screenings services utilizing this vehicle. Plans are being developed to determine where services will be offered but may include areas of public housing, group homes, senior centers, and community events. Cindy Cox, Chief Branding Officer at NHC shared that she is “excited to utilize this mode of care delivery in the community. This unit will allow us to take care where patients are to reduce the burden of transportation. The mobile clinic is fully loaded and has all the components to fully care for patients. It is just like being in one of our clinic exam rooms.” Cindy is responsible for all outreach efforts and is frequently seen at various events representing NHC. Neighborhood Health Center proudly serves Wayne, Union, and Fayette counties serving close to 6,000 patients annually with 16 providers and nearly 90 employees. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, NHC offers care to patients regardless of ability to pay. In addition to health care, NHC staff helps patients with insurance navigation, referral to social services, food, medication, and transportation needs. Carrie Miles, CEO shared, “one of our greatest strengths is our collaboration with community partners. Cindy has done an amazing job of building relationships with so many fantastic organizations in our region. We are blessed with great resources for our patients, and we are all better together. The addition of this mobile unit will only heighten our ability to reach patients and make our community healthier. We are incredibly thankful to the USDA for the funding to support this new service.”
Fayette County Medical Center to transition to new ownership
As of August 22, 2022, Reid Health Primary and Specialty Care Virginia Avenue will begin operating as Fayette County Medical Center under the umbrella of Neighborhood Health Center, Inc, a not-for-profit corporation that operates as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Federally Qualified Health Center is a designation from the federal government that provides enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid. As an FQHC, patients are cared for regardless of ability to pay and fees are based on family size and income.
The site will continue to provide family medicine care with mental health to be added in the future. The center will operate in its current location with similar hours.
Carrie Miles, Chief Executive Officer, shared “Our mission is to ‘promote health and wellness through access and affordability for all members of our community, especially those who need us most’,” Miles said. “The primary reason for transitioning the center is our ability as a FQHC to provide additional, essential services for members of the community that otherwise cannot afford services. The additional funding is essential and allows us to offer better access and services and to ultimately, promote better health outcomes for the community,” Miles said. “Almost 10% of Fayette County residents are uninsured. We are planning to provide onsite eligibility services to help more residents obtain insurance coverage. We look forward to working with all community partners to help meet the needs of our community and that collaborative will improve the health of Fayette County.”
The practice has been owned and operated by Reid Health since July 2019. The transition will allow a more focused approach to improve the health of low-income patients. Forty-two percent of Fayette County residents are at or below 200% of federal poverty limits with 19% below 100%. “This is great news for patients served by the Fayette County Medical Center,” said Billie Kester, Reid Health Vice President/Executive Director of Reid Health Physician Associates. “From the patient perspective, this change will be seamless and increase their options for care.”
The existing providers and staff will make the transition and continue to provide quality healthcare at the facility. Providers include Dr. Andy Tran, Venassia Howard, Nurse Practitioner, JoAnna Reisert, Nurse Practitioner and Denise Smith, Nurse Practitioner.
Neighborhood Health Center offers on-site assistance with financial paperwork, transportation assistance and additional connections to community services. Dr. Andy Tran, who will also serve as the Chief Medical Officer for the organization, shared that “Everyone has a right to health care and Neighborhood Health Center is the best approach to ensuring everyone has access because there are more resources available to Fayette County residents. In continued collaboration with the Reid Health, residents will have care right in their backyards. This is a significant step forward in ensuring residents have the care they need and want from birth through aging. The staff at Fayette County Medical Center are excited about this transition. We see it as an opportunity to provide more health services to the people we care very deeply about. We're looking forward to welcoming new patients to our care as we continue to grow.”
The center is accepting new patients and will continue to be in network with most insurance plans and will add plans as the need arises. The center is governed by a board of directors made up of community members with a strong commitment for the health and well-being of the community and includes individuals who are served by the center.
For more information, contact Carrie Miles at carrie.miles@neighborhoodhc.org or by calling the Neighborhood Health Center at 765-598-4300.
Neighborhood Health Center announces grant award from Wayne County Foundation
Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) is pleased to share about a grant received from the Wayne County Foundation to assist with improving care of Latino patients in Wayne County. NHC was awarded $14,500 and will utilize the funds to enhance Spanish-speaking medical interpretation at 10th Street Clinic, located on the corner of South A and 10th Street in Richmond.
With funding received from Wayne County Foundation in 2020, NHC started a new interpretation program that allowed for the addition of a consultant that is certified in Spanish medical interpretation to be in the clinic and available to patients on a scheduled basis. The program allowed providers to connect and serve the Latino population in a more meaningful and holistic way. By working with an interpreter, NHC was able to provide care that is more culturally competent for our Latino population. In 2021, NHC served 167 unique Latino patients with over 90% of patients qualifying for reduced fees utilizing our sliding scale payment structure and were less than 200% of federal poverty limits.
Because of the success of this program, NHC wanted to expand the hours of coverage for the interpreter with the goal of serving 300 patients that identify Spanish as their primary language in 2022. Funding from Wayne County Foundation has been critical in this project as the demand for these services has far exceeded capacity to provide care with the part time consultant that was utilized. NHC recruited and hired a full-time registered nurse to further expand the impact of this program and to assist the consultant.
Carrie Miles, CEO at Neighborhood Health Center shared, “We are so thankful and blessed for the grant funding and we couldn’t have done it without the support of Wayne County Foundation. We are thrilled with the impact on our patients’ lives and know this is only the beginning. To me, one of the neatest aspects of this program was working with other area organizations and seeing how local funding can be magnified if we work collectively.”
The certified medical interpreter at NHC is a Communities in Schools liaison that works with Latino families, Pamela Zelaya. “Pam is the perfect bridge for families, and she alleviates a lot of their fears with accessing care. Her ability to make a connection and build relationships with new families has improved their trust in obtaining healthcare at our clinic,” Miles shared.
Earlham College has been a tremendous partner with this program. Earlham students have connected with people in the community at various events and Earlham has started a program where students can receive training to become certified, medical interpreters. There is a huge need nationwide for interpreters/translators so this certification will serve them well in whatever community they serve. Earlham students translated documents and forms into Spanish as well as educational material and patient pamphlets. They also created and published a bilingual newsletter. The students got great real-world experience and a platform to utilize their creativity. They are all passionate about providing bilingual health care because of their backgrounds.
Utilizing American Rescue Plan grant funding, NHC added resources and staff to expand outreach and engagement in the community. This includes participation in community events, a larger social media presence, a new website published in English and Spanish, increased collaboration with community organizations, health fairs and mobile health services. In May, NHC and Amigos worked together to bring mobile mammogram services to Richmond and hosted a health fair with several community organizations participating.
Carol Olive, Chief Human Resources Officer at NHC is charged with building a sustainable program by recruiting bilingual staff; office assistants, medical assistants and billing/accounting staff are all needed. She shared, “NHC is working with Amigos to connect with middle and high school students to promote and assist students with health care careers in our community. We are also actively engaging with area high schools and colleges for student interns and making connections at various community career fairs with hopes to recruit great students early and keep them living and working in our community. Being involved in the Forward Wayne County Employability Coalition is bringing the right people together to create a system to improve workforce.”
Miles concluded, “There remains a tremendous need and it has taken a lot of time to get things moving but we are heading in the right direction, and we have the right people engaged. The partnership with Wayne County Foundation is an amazing blessing and we are proud and honored to be trusted with grant funding for this program.”
Since 1979, the Wayne County Foundation has existed to foster and encourage private philanthropic giving, to enhance the spirit of community to improve the quality of life in the Wayne County, Indiana, area now and for future generations. To learn more or to donate, visit their website at waynecountyfoundation.org.
Carol Olive, Chief Human Resources Officer
Neighborhood Health Center anticipates more staff growth through 2022
As Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) locations in Richmond and Liberty continue to serve more patients, the need for additional staff also continues to grow.
Carol Olive, Chief Human Resources Officer, said she expects not only to add more team members this year, but will also offer updates and expansions to the NHC benefit package that reflects direct input from employees. In fact, she sought her role at NHC last year because she enjoys more one-on-one connections possible with a smaller organization.
“I have contact with the employees and I love it! I can be there to support them so they can be their very best for themselves and their families, and for our patients and their families,” she said.
The center’s two locations employ more than 50 people, up from a launch with just a few employees when it opened in 2018. Continued growth this year, including the addition of a third location in Connersville, will mean an additional 8-10 hires through the year. Positions anticipated include staff with expertise in coding, financial services, and clinical support and education.
Since she took her position last October, Olive has worked directly with team members to develop a new, recently approved benefit package. “The package includes elements to enhance work-life balance, great benefits, and competitive wages. We want to satisfy and retain employees. We also want to show employees and applicants that we want to be a part of their personal and professional growth.” The package in its final form was based on extensive input from affected employees. “They were very much a part of the development of NHC’s policy. Additionally, our Governing Board was very supportive of maintaining a work culture that supports our employees.”
Olive’s experience since obtaining her bachelor’s in business from IUPUI includes working at a casket manufacturer, a manufacturing supplier, and a healthcare facility where she had a wide range of experience.
“I pull from all my work experiences as each job and each organization taught me so much,” she said.
Carrie Miles, Chief Executive Officer for NHC, said changes and staff increases are a direct reflection of NHC working to meet the healthcare demands in the region.
“We have provided patient-focused, respectful, quality care at Neighborhood Health Center since we opened our doors,” Miles said. “That care is made possible every day by our amazing and dedicated staff, who make NHC special. They work diligently to be advocates for our patients.”
Miles also noted Olive’s vision of creating a human resources department that are advocates for our employees. “Carol has spent countless hours talking with staff and developing a compensation package built around their feedback and needs, both personally and professionally. I am incredibly proud of the employment package we crafted. It is our sincere hope that it conveys just how much our team members mean to us, and how much we value the work they do for our patients.”
Introducing Mikeia Yett, Behavioral Nurse Practitioner!
Neighborhood Health Center’s April 2022 Newsletter gets you ready for spring!
January 2022 Newsletter
Despite challenges, Neighborhood Health Center continues growth
Neighborhood Health Center in Richmond and Liberty continued to expand its patient base and add services in 2021, with even more changes and improvements coming this year.
“Our staff has continued to connect with patients and overcome barriers to bring care to hundreds of additional patients who were not receiving the regular services they needed,” said Carrie Miles, CEO. She said the two locations welcomed over 1,000 new patients between them.
As the patient base has grown, so has the need to increase administrative support, she said. That includes adding a space soon dedicated to a growing human resources department, billing, coding, information technology, quality, accounting, and a classroom training space. We are excited to see our employment grow and improvement in our onboarding and orientation of staff.
The Richmond location celebrated three years in 2021, and the Liberty office celebrated two years of serving patients in the region.
Miles said the 10th Street Clinic in Richmond saw “tremendous growth” in family planning services, along with welcoming 589 new patients and completing 6,112 patient visits. Union County Medical Center provided over 7,130 patient visits for primary and mental health services and welcomed 464 new patients. Additionally, since opening, Union County helped nearly 400 patients obtain insurance coverage.
The center’s governing board will add new members in 2022 after saying goodbye to several founding members – Delia Clark, Margaret Hampton, Dianne Reed, Caleb Smith and Jason Troutwine. “These members are a special group of people who are dedicated to our mission,” Miles said. “Their perspectives have been invaluable. Their voices at our table will be missed.”
Other highlights of the past year included:
• Purchasing a van to provide mobile care
• Adding staff including a bilingual registered nurse to assist the Latino population
• Hosting a Naloxbox to distribute naloxone to the public
• Increasing Medicare wellness exams
• And opening a clinic at Earlham College to provide family planning services to students and faculty.
“This past year was a busy one for our centers. We expect 2022 to continue at a similar pace,” Miles said. She said the growth and ability to serve more patients came while coping with the COVID pandemic and other challenges affecting healthcare delivery. “This remains a very challenging time in healthcare and the days can be weary. Our teams have continued to show up every day and care for our patients and each other. Our staff has done whatever it takes to ensure our patients are cared for throughout this entire pandemic. They are the true heroes in all this. They are what NHC a special place.” she said. “I am filled with both pride and gratitude for everything our team has accomplished together. We have faithfully provided care to our patients despite the many challenges while encouraging and supporting each other at each step. The dedication of our staff, community partners, providers, and governing board has been inspiring. I do not say lightly what an incredible impact everyone has had toward the positive outcomes we have seen this year, despite the hardships.”
The centers accept all patients, regardless of ability to pay, and offers assistance in finding coverage for patients when possible. A sliding scale for payment allows fees to be based on family size and income.
NHC providers offer extended hours at both clinics. NHC 10th Street offers extended hours on Mondays and Tuesdays until 7 p.m. Union County Medical Center has extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7 p.m.
Newsletter 1 (Spanish Version)
NHC Newsletter 1 (English Version)
