HealthLinc and Porter-Starke Host Clinic Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

HealthLinc and Porter-Starke Services recently hosted over 60 local leaders for an open house at the Federally Qualified Health Center’s new clinic located within Porter-Starke’s Valparaiso facility. The clinic’s location allows Porter-Starke and HealthLinc’s service providers to better integrate the care of both organizations’ clients and is another step in the near decade-long partnership between the two non-profit healthcare organizations.

“HealthLinc and Porter-Starke continue to work collaboratively to indentify the needs of our communities and map out cost effective, collaborative responses,” said Beth Wrobel, CEO of HealthLinc. “Every day we move closer to developing new approaches, reversing the health issues that have traditionally plagued the individuals we serve,” said Wrobel.

HealthLinc and Porter-Starke have been local leaders in healthcare integration; HealthLinc utilizes a Porter-Starke behavioral specialist within its healthcare visits to screen for mental health issues. The new clinic will expand primary healthcare services at Porter-Starke, a process that has shown positive preliminary effects.

According to Wrobel, the clinic has helped 42% of the 70 patients that have received services to lose weight, many to quit smoking and improve their overall health and mental health status.

“This ever-expanding partnership helps us meet the healthcare needs of the whole person, not just their mind or body.” said Rocco Schiralli, President/CEO of Porter-Starke Services. “What we are seeing is better outcomes in both areas as a result and, most importantly, a better quality of life for our clients,” said Schiralli.

HealthLinc and Porter-Starke Services have received national recognition for their collaboration. The clinic was funded through the National Association of Community Health Center’s Covidien Challenge Grant with matching funds provided by the Porter-Starke Services Foundation. The Valparaiso Rotary Club also provided a grant to purchase equipment for the new clinic.

HealthLinc is a not-for-profit health center with offices in Valparaiso, Michigan City, Knox and Mishawaka. It provides quality primary care services to the community without regard for a patient’s ability to pay and aims to eliminate health disparities. Porter-Starke Services is a not-for-profit community mental health center with offices in Valparaiso, Portage and Knox. It has provided high quality behavioral health and substance abuse treatment since 1975.

Photos:

1. L to R: Mark Lopez, Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative Peter Visclosky, Celina Weatherwax, Director of Northwest Indiana Office for U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, Beth Wrobel, CEO of HealthLinc, Rocco Schiralli, President/CEO of Porter-Starke Services, Indiana Senator Ed Charbonneau, Indiana Representative Ed Soliday cut the ribbon for the integrated health clinic
   
2. Waiting area of new HealthLinc clinic