Community Health Center of Fort Dodge

Expansion

For the many patients who see their providers at the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge, some recently completed renovations will allow the center to serve their needs even better.

The work includes an expanded dental area, addition mental health care offices. expansions in staff and taking some of their services into the community.

Renae Kruckenberg, Chief Executive Officer and Colleen Miller, Chief Operating Officer are pretty sure the patients will like the improvements.

“We added four more dental operatories,” Kruckenberg said. “It allows us to see more patients, it helps keep the flow going easier.”

The additional four chairs make for a total of 12. The design and decor are similar to what was already there so everything matches.

“It mirrors what we already had,” she said. “It also gave us the ability to hire another dentist and a hygienist. We’re actively recruiting.”

She said the additions are a response to changes in State Medicaid guidelines for Managed Care Organizations for children.

“A lot of dentists don’t accept patients with MCOs.” She said. “It increases the need for youth dental services. It’s our way of responding to our community’s need. Health Centers do that.”

by HANS MADSEN

They also added a Mobile Dental Unit that goes to local elementary schools to help provide care for children. They both said that if it’s successful, they want to expand the program. They plan on earmarking funds from the upcoming November fundraiser to do just that.

“The Fort Dodge Noon Rotary raised the funds and allowed us to purchase it,” Kruckenberg said.

In the Behavioral Health department several additions in space and staff will allow the Community Health Center to better serve to the mental health needs of the community.

“We added four additional rooms, we hired three new therapists and an additional social worker.” Kruckenberg said proudly.

-PHOTO BY HANS MADSEN

Community Health Center of Fort Dodge CEO Renae Kruckenberg stops to chat with Administrative Assistant Annie Wolfe in the newly renovated administrative area.

A total of nine providers care for patients in the Behavioral Health department.

She said there’s a great need in the community for mental health services.

“There was a need before,” she said. “When COVID came it exemplified the need for mental health services. The three new therapists, their panels are are almost full. They’re booked out at two weeks, usually that takes at least a year.”

She hopes more make use of the help. “We try to remove the stigma,” She said. “It’s okay to not be okay.”

She said many of the patients just need someone to talk to the help them sort out their lives and to learn day to day coping skills. Some need help dealing with past trauma.

They’ve also added a group therapy room that they’re seeking certification for and in the future, they also hope to do more substance abuse counseling.

Some other additions to the Health Center include a renovated administrative area with a conference space, a new gym for the staff and a new break room with a full kitchen.

There’s also a new elevator between the two floors of the building and in the case of power failure, a newly installed generator that can keep the lights and everything else in the building running.

Community Health Center of Fort Dodge Chief Operating Officer Colleen Miller, at left, along with Renae Kruckenberg, CEO pose in one of the recently renovated dental suites.

We try to remove the stigma, It’s okay to not be okay. Renae Kruckenberg

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-PHOTO BY HANS MADSEN

Community Health Center of Fort Dodge’s Roxanne Fevold, licensed mental health counselor, demonstrates how she would talk to a patient in one of the new offices that are part of an expansion in the Mental Health Services area.

-PHOTO BY HANS MADSEN

History of Community Health Center of Fort Dodge

Community Health Center of Fort Dodge has been serving our community since 2006. It all began with a group of local churches, physicians, agencies and businesses identifying a need for medical and dental assistance in our area. In 2005 federal funds were received and in April of 2006 we officially began as a Federally Qualified Health Center.

In 2014 we expanded into Dayton, Iowa when their current medical partner left. Our Dayton location offers primary medical care.

In 2016 the Fort Dodge clinic underwent a 10,000 square foot renovation and nearly doubled the number of medical exam rooms, doubled the number of dental operatories and added behavioral healthcare services which included therapy, medication management and referrals for in-patient treatment.

In 2018 Community Health Center of Mason City opened offering medical, dental and behavioral health services.

Federally Qualified Health Centers are non-profit, provide comprehensive healthcare to underserved populations, regardless of their ability to pay.

Proud to support the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge GreenState.org

patients in

MEDICAL

DENTAL

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

ADDITIONAL

Get to Know Us

Cara Ford Coder

ReginaOutreachSuhrbier Coordinator

Jana Woodruff Controller

AmyFrontShannon Desk Supervisor

Rhonda McFadden Financial Advocate

LaShawn Garberding Medical Records

Julie Wilson Medical Records

Sarah Smith CMA, Clinic Quality Coordinator

Rocio Vasquez MA

Jennifer Spencer LPN Michelle ThompsonCare Coordinator Chelsea Wittmaack CMA Dayton Location Karisha Summers LPN

Jennifer Zigrang ARNP Jennifer Pudenz ARNP Dayton/Fort Dodge

Ann Feser ARNP

Lisa Chase ARNP

Janet Secor DO Elizabeth Stoebe DO Medical Director

Pam Scharf RDA

Nelly Lopes RDA

Crystal Stevens RDA

Roxanne Fevold LMHC, CADC, Behavioral Health Director

Brittany Allen LMSW

Jodi Michael Care Coordinator

Lexi Lizer Tech

Debra DelpRN Care Coordinator Brandy Gibbons CMA

Alyssa PflibsenSocial Worker

Jennifer Crouse CMASydnieCMABauch

Linnea Newell Social Worker

Brandi Carlson LPN Kathy PetersonRN Medical Clinic Supervisor

Stephanie Haines LPN

Amy McCollough RN, Data CoordinatorQuality

Rose Johnson Care Coordinator

Jan Remsburg CMA, Care Coordinator

Lindsey Frazier Lab Tech

Michelle Vought Reception

Laurie Towne Reception

Christie Murray Dayton Reception Wendy Terpstra Operator

Lydia Dones Reception

Kaley Feser Reception

Marcella Paulino DaCosta DDS

Mary Larrabee RDH

Kelsey Christensen RDH

TammyRDAChristensen , Dental Clinic Manager

Lynnette Heatherington RDA

Steven Schumacher DDS

Misty Middleton Billing

Renae Kruckenberg CEO

Colleen Miller COO

Meredith Whitmer Billing

Annie Wolfe Administrative Assistant Mitch Stewart Senior Accountant

Angela McGregorDNP, PMHNP, ARNP-FNP

Eileen Meier PMHNP

Kirsten Olson LISW

Holly McClintock PMHNP

Bonni Herpst LISW

Angela Crosby LMHC

Courtney Underwood tLMHC

Medical, Dental and Behavioral Health services are offered all under one roof.

Community Events

In addition to healthcare services Community Health Center of Fort Dodge organizes programs to fill a need in other areas for our region. These include the Back-to-School Block Party, Socks for the Sole, and Coats for Kids.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY

Each August before the start of the school year the health center holds a celebration during National Health Center Week where kids can receive physicals, immunizations and dental screenings at no cost. The event partners with Upper Des Moines Opportunity as well as other organizations to provide needed back-to-school supplies and resources.

SOCKS FOR THE SOLE

Our annual sock drive called Socks for the Sole collects socks for kids headed back to school. Shimkat Motor Company helps collect the new socks and we distribute them at the Back-to-school Block Party and to the schools as needed throughout the year.

COATS FOR KIDS

In it’s 11th year the Coats for Kids event just keeps growing! The program started by Shimkat Motor Company will continue this year with the collection of new and gently used coats for kids. Coats are distributed via a drive-thru at Community Health Center on November 19th. Any child in need of a coat can come and get one. Coats can be donated at anytime at Shimkat Motor Company.

Community Health Center Annual Fundraiser

A date has been set and plans are underway for the Community Health Center’s annual fundraiser!

Community Health Center of Fort Dodge will hold their annual fundraiser on Saturday, November 12th in the showroom at Shimkat Motor Co. The event, formally known as ‘Masquerade Ball’, is now called ‘Costumes and Comedy’. Guests will enjoy dinner, live/silent auctions and a performance by comedian Jackie Fabulous. While the event is the main piece of the fundraiser there

are many ways you can support their efforts.

Raffle tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from health center staff, at Shimkat Motor Co and online. Tickets are $25 each or 5/$100 and get you entered to win one of three prizes to be drawn for live at the event on November 12. The prizes are $1000 Visa Gift Card, $800 Shimkat Prize ($500 gift card and an auto detail) and $500 Grocery Gift Card (Choice of Hy-Vee or Fareway).

Thoughtful | DESIGN | for You

“We provide value in design by listening, learning, and skillfully creating unique, affordable, and efficient building design solutions.”

An online/silent auction will begin on Friday, November 4th at 4 pm with many auction items available to the public for bidding on all week leading up to the event. The online auction will end on Saturday, November 12 during the event. “Participants will be able to bid from home, or bid from their phone on items while they are at our event.” said Suhrbier. Some special larger items will be part of a live auction that you can preview online, but must be present at the event to bid on.

Tickets for the November 12th Costumes and Comedy event are $45 in advance or $50 at the door. Your ticket for the evening includes a delicious dinner of roast beef or chicken, cheesy hash browns, green beans, taco salad, pasta salad, broccoli cauliflower salad and a dinner roll. Drinks will be available for purchase at the bar and an amazing assortment of desserts will be auctioned off during dinner. “Last year we brought in a comedian and it was so well received, we decided laughter is the best medicine and the perfect entertainment for our fundraising evening.” said Regina Suhrbier, Outreach Coordinator for Community Health Center. This year’s comedian is Jackie Fabulous. Jackie is a regular at top comedy clubs around the country. You may recognize her from America’s Got Talent. She has charms that even made Simon Cowell blush! NOW she is appearing for you in Fort Dodge to support the Community Health Center!

This year we plan to use funds raised toward the purchase of an additional mobile dental unit. We did a test run with our current unit last spring taking a dentist and staff directly to the school and it was successful. We plan to expand the program and are excited about helping local families have easier access to dental care.

More information can be found at www.biddingforgood. com/chcfortdodge. Any person or business wishing to contribute to the auction or interested in sponsorship of the event can contact Regina Suhrbier at 515-576-6500 or by email at rsuhrbier@chcfortdodge.com.

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Regina Suhrbier

Participants will be able to bid from home, or bid from their phone on items while they are at our event.

UNDER

at

Unplugged

Annual Fundraiser

Jackie Fabulous

available at Community Health Center, by calling 515-576-6500, at Shimkat Motor Co.

at www.biddingforgood.com/chcfortdodge

Suhrbier, Outreach

rsuhrbier@chcfortdodge.com or 515-576-6500

Jackie is a regular at top comedy clubs around the country. You may recognize her from America’s Got Talent. She has charms that even made Simon Cowell blush! NOW she is appearing for you in Fort Dodge to support the Community Health Center!