Community Health Center of Fort Dodge has announced a partnership with UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge to expand access to women’s health services in the region.

Dr. Robert O’Connor, an OB/GYN at UnityPoint Clinic OB/GYN, has started seeing patients at the health center two days every month.

“Too often, uninsured patients delay prenatal care simply because of cost, and we know how critical those early weeks are for both parent and baby,” said Ann Feser, medical director at the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge.

“This partnership allows us to remove that barrier and ensure patients can begin prenatal care as early as possible,” she added. “By working alongside UnityPoint and Dr. O’Connor, we’re creating a safer, more accessible path to healthy pregnancies in our community.”

Women receiving pregnancy care will see O’Connor at the Community Health Center for most of their prenatal visits before transitioning to UnityPoint Health for their final appointments and delivery.

“This partnership allows us to reach more patients and provide a seamless care experience,” O’Connor said. “Working alongside Community Health Center we can expand access to essential OB/GYN services and support women through their most important health moments.”

Colleen Miller, chief operating officer of the health center, said the collaboration “is a powerful example of what can happen when organizations come together with a shared goal.”

The Community Health Center of Fort Dodge, 126 N. 10th St., is a federally qualified facility that accepts most insurance and offers a sliding fee scale based on a patient’s ability to pay.