Physicians and Clinics of HCHC expands health care access, women’s health

Physicians and Clinics of HCHC is open for patients.

An open house and ribbon cutting was held for the newly remodeled clinics on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Henry County Health Center (HCHC).

Michelle Rosell, chief operating officer at HCHC, said the new clinic is all about health care access for the community.

'The important thing and the reason we did this was to provide another access point for people in the community,” Rosell said. 'We were able to expand services at women's health and have more family practice providers.”

Robb Gardner, CEO of HCHC, said that the clinic is another step forward in making sure everyone in Henry County has access to 'outstanding” health services.

'We want to make it a wonderful experience for you as a patient,” Gardner said.

Physicians and Clinics of HCHC will be the fourth rural health clinic in Henry County, joining Winfield, Wayland and New London in serving rural Iowa. Rural health clinic is a designation by the federal government intended to increase access to primary care services for patients in an area with a shortage of health care providers, Gardner said.

The rural health clinic status also has the advantage of enhanced reimbursement rates for providing Medicare and Medicaid services, which makes health care more accessible and sustainable over time, Gardner said.

'Anyone can access the clinic if they don't have a primary care provider,” Gardner said.

The clinic is accessible through the main entrance of HCHC and to the left. Patients seeking care can report directly to the Physicians and Clinics of HCHC registration area rather than going to the hospitals' main registration area.

The redirected entrance means easier access for patients who have an appointment, said Dr. Joel Ryon, with Physicians and Clinics of HCHC.

The women's health clinic, now accessible through Physicians and Clinics of HCHC, has new, updated computers for more efficient record keeping, Ryon said.

The area where surgery clinics used to be is where patients can now see primary care physicians.

'Our mission is to provide services to people who don't otherwise receive them,” Ryon said. 'We've been seeing patients for a few months, and we're excited to be here.”

Susan Brecht, receptionist with 10 years of experience at the Winfield and Wayland rural health clinics, said the new Physicians and Clinics reception area streamlines the registration process.

'It's a great benefit that serves a need of the people,” Brecht said.

Providers at Physicians and Clinics of HCHC are Dr. Joel Ryon, Dr. Michael Ryskin, Kendra Bonnesen, Kari Payne and Jessi Richmond. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Maternity Services also unveiled their new whirlpool tub for mothers in labor. Gardner said the whirlpool tub is another way HCHC continues to provide outstanding care.

Shayla Malone, director of maternity services, said that there are more mothers coming in who want to deliver naturally without pain medication. The whirlpool tub eases their pain by helping them relax their body.

'Nature does its work,” Malone said.

Malone said the last four mothers who delivered at HCHC opted for the whirlpool tub instead of an epidural. The tub has six adjustable jets and sits in what used to be a supply room, Malone said.

'It was a big transition for us,” Malone said.