Regional Health Systems, a Regional Care Group member, hosted an open house on Wednesday, October 23, to celebrate its 10th anniversary as an Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and show off its updated health clinic at the Hohman Clinic in Hammond.
The facility celebrated with raffles, giveaways, free treats, a pumpkin contest and tours of the updated facility. Patients were invited to bring the whole family to check out what the Hammond location has to offer. The Hohman Clinic was remodeled to be equipped with an upcoming X-ray and a mammogram testing center, as well as expanding and upgrading its dental area.
Amy Lopez, the vice president of health clinics at Regional Health Systems, has worked for the company for 28 years because the team solely serves the community.
“That's what our mission has always been and that's what it continues to be,” Lopez said. “We bring in primary medical care, and then bring in dental care as well. Now we're going to provide X-ray and mammogram services to the community. It's just furthering that mission and further helping the community.”
Along with showcasing the updates made to the health clinic, the open house also celebrated the 10 years Regional Health Systems has been an FQHC. The money the organization receives from the federal government allows them to provide care on a sliding fee discount schedule. This ensures that everyone, no matter their financial burden or origin, can receive care.
Lopez believes there’s more to Regional Care Group and the Hohman Clinic than some people realize.
“A lot of people have a negative connotation of the Federally Qualified Health Centers,” Lopez said. “I want them to see that's not the case. We have state of the art facilities here. This is nothing that you wouldn't see in any other regular doctor's office that you go to through any of the hospital systems in the area. We want them to be able to experience that. We want them to meet our staff — see that people here really have a passion for helping the community. That's what we're here for.”
Regional Care Group consists of Regional Health Systems, Lake Park Residential Care and Geminus Corporation. Lake Park Residential serves individuals with severe mental health issues, and Geminus provides social services. They all work together to offer a complete continuum of care.
“We're looking at all aspects of not just your primary health, but your mental health and behavioral health, and then also your social health,” Bill Trowbridge, the CEO of Regional Care Group, said.
The Hohman Clinic hopes to become a one-stop shop for its patients. The idea is not to inconvenience patients with traveling somewhere else to get a procedure done. Even with the updates, the Hohman Clinic has room to grow, with plans to add more services in the future. For example, remodeled rooms where the dental area used to be on the first floor are prepared to house guest physicians who specialize in a specific area of study.
Expanding on primary, dental, mental, behavioral and social health services, especially all in one location, is important to Trowbridge.
“Overall, I think it's going to be better for the community,” Trowbridge said. “That's what matters. We're going to make a big difference here for people who are looking for primary care to dentistry. This is a great place to come to and it's ready for them.”
To learn more about Regional Health Systems, visit rhs.care.
