Bowen Center formally introduced its newest health clinic to the public today. The 61-year-old Community Mental Health Center has moved into integrated care addressing the strong link between mental health and physical health.
The Center opened its first health clinic in Warsaw last year and recently opened its newest clinic in South Central Fort Wayne. Bowen Health Clinic provides primary health care to anyone in the community no matter their ability to pay. In Fort Wayne, the Health Clinic joins Bowen Center’s Goshen Road facility which provides emotional health care on an outpatient basis and Bowen Recovery Center, an Opioid Use Treatment facility.
The 46806-zip code was specifically targeted by Bowen Center for its first Fort Wayne health clinic. “People with mental health conditions are less likely to receive the health care their entitled to,” said Dr. Jerry Greer, a physician at Bowen Health Clinic. “We will incorporate social determinants of health in their care. We want to make a change in this area and in overall health. By this initiative, we want to improve the mental health, physical health and work to improve life expectancy starting in this zip code with plans to expand,” said Dr. Greer.
Shannon Hannon, Bowen Center Vice President of Healthcare Integration echoed Dr. Greer’s resolve, “We have a philosophy of treating the whole person and integrative care is so incredibly important to ensuring the patients in this 46806-zip code can live their best lives.”
After Mayor Tom Henry took a tour of the facility, he offered his appreciation and support for the clinic and its location. “We are in the 46806-zip code and that’s important because as we take a look at our city there are different needs for different parts of our city. In the 46806-zip code there is a significant need for mental health and for physical health opportunities. And to have a center like this that offers both is a very unusual statement for a community,” said Mayor Henry. “We are so blessed for an organization like this to be present in our community. Especially in today’s world. The effects of this pandemic have been brutal physically and mentally. So, we’re here today to say we won’t let those opportunities pass us by to be able to be of service to our fellow man. So, thank you,” said Mayor Henry.
Dr. Tanner Babb, Bowen Center Board of Directors, said moving into total health has been a vision of the Bowen Center Board of Directors for many years and credited staff and community partners for making the dream a reality. “These are dark times and difficult times and our hope at Bowen Center is to really work to be a light in our communities and to provide hope to the people that we work with,” said Dr. Babb.
Ashley Boettcher, a Bowen Health Clinic Nurse Practitioner has cared for patients in South Central Fort Wayne for five years and came to Bowen Health Clinic because of a shared mission to improve the health of underserved populations. “Together we’re focused on providing a patient-centered integrative approach to care. And now more than ever, especially in our vulnerable communities, it’s important for patients to have easy access to quality medical care,” said Ms. Boettcher
Dr. Rob Ryan, Bowen Center Senior Vice President of Operations pointed out that Bowen Health Clinic shares the building with other social service agencies like the Department of Child Services and WorkOne with plans for more, which creates a synergy to affect the greater good. “You heard earlier us talk about social determinants of health. Those are things like transportation, jobs, parenting, relationship help, physical health, mental health. This building is going to become a hub for those things. People will think of this building on Rudisill as a place to go to get help. And the fact that we’re here partnering with the great social services that are already here and more to come are what makes us really excited about this opening,” said Dr. Ryan
The new clinic and continued plans for growth throughout Indiana are due in large part to the more than three decades of leadership by Bowen Center President/CEO, Kurt Carlson, who’s vision and values have helped create one of the largest Community Mental Health Centers in the state. Adding physical healthcare to targeted areas with unmet needs is the next step in providing hope to underserved populations. “It’s a privilege to open a health clinic in an area of great need,” said Mr. Carlson.
Bowen Health Clinic is located in Rudisill Plaza at 201 E. Rudisill Blvd, Suite #106 in Fort Wayne. Medicare insurance and Medicaid insurance are accepted. Indiana insurance navigators are available to help uninsured patients with health insurance eligibility. Walk-ins are welcome and same day appointments are available. Call (260)443-7543 for more information.
