Last year, the center received Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition. Achieving that recognition was a goal the center’s staff had been working toward for five years.

Renae Kruckenberg, the center’s chief executive officer, said the recognition means “when a patient calls in, they are automatically paired with their provider even if their provider does not have an opening.”

“It also means we have same-day appointments available,” she added.

Also in 2019, the center was recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for ranking among the top 10 percent of health centers nationally for clinical quality.

-Submitted photo
The staff of the Community Health Center in Fort Dodge posed for a photo while completing Bridges Out of Poverty training in Des Moines in October 2019. Being able to attend the training was a reward for being recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for ranking among the top 10 percent of health centers nationally for clinical quality.

“We received this by working on areas such as colorectal cancer screenings, hypertension, tobacco use and cessation, diabetes control and depression screening,” Kruckenberg said. “We worked hard in the promotion of these important areas and really focused on prevention for our community.”

There are 14 community health centers in Iowa and five of them received the top 10 percent recognition. Two of them earned top 2 percent recognition. Getting that status is one of the local center’s goals for 2020, Kruckenberg said.

“Having PCMH recognition and being recognized in the top 10 percent in quality all lead back to our mission to provide quality health care services for all and our vision for all people to have access to quality health care through the Community Health Center,” said Colleen Miller, the center’s chief operating officer.

“It also opens the door for additional funding and grant opportunities,” Kruckenberg added.

While the center’s main local facility is at 126 N. 10th St., it also has a clinic in Dayton and the Mason City center is considered to be part of it.

-Submitted photo
Renae Kruckenberg, left, the chief executive officer of the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge, and Colleen Miller, the center’s chief operating officer, display some of the awards the facility received in 2019. One was being recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for ranking among the top 10 percent of health centers nationally for clinical quality.

That Dayton clinic hit a milestone in 2019 as health care providers worked to prevent the flu. More people than ever before came to the clinic to get a flu shot.

“We had over 70 come for flu shots in Dayton.” Miller said. “Providing this rural access to health care is important to the community.”

Also in 2019 a clinic staffer, Financial Advocate Rhonda McFadden, earned a certification that will enable her to help Medicare recipients. McFadden became a Senior Health Insurance Information Program certified counselor through the Iowa Insurance Division. She will be able to help people navigate Medicare open enrollment.

“There are very few SHIPP certified counselors in our area, so being able to accomplish this and provide this free service to our community is important,” Kruckenberg said.

Last fall, the center received a $212,868 federal grant to pay for new dental chairs and equipment. The money came from the Health Resources and Services Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

That money will pay for four new dental chairs to be installed this year.

It will also pay for a 3-D printer used to make dentures.

This month, the center is completing a new online payment system intended to make billing more efficient. The system is expected to make it easier for patients to make payments and to receive reminders for payments.

The center’s staff also wants to provide more mental health services in the future.

“We recognize the need for additional therapists in our community,” Kruckenberg said. “We are exploring ways that Community Health Center of Fort Dodge could expand on our offerings as we continue to bridge health care and social determinates to meet the needs of our area.”

She said the center saw a 66 percent increase in visits to its behavioral health department in 2019.

The number of visits rose from 3,576 to 5,925.

The center will continue with the back-to-school block party, which offers free child well checks, immunizations and sports physicals.

Also back for 2020 will be the annual sock drive and Coats for Kids, conducted in partnership with Shimkat Motor Co.

In 2019, 528 coats were handed out through Coats for Kids. That was a record amount, according to Regina Suhrbier, the center’s outreach coordinator.

“Our next step is to increase the number of boots and snow pants we can distribute,” she said. “Kids are in need of these items also.”

The Community Health Center opened in 2006. It provides medical, dental and behavorial health care. Insurance is accepted and patients who qualify financially can make payments on a sliding scale based on their income.

“I want people to know that, yes, we serve the underserved population, but we see people of all insurance statuses,” Miller said. “We have a beautiful facility and caring staff. I am proud of the work we do in our community.”