USI Community Health Center at Cedar Hall opens Wednesday

On Wednesday, January 9, the University of Southern Indiana’s College of Nursing and Health Professions is opening its second USI Community Health Center, this one at Cedar Hall Community School.

“With the success of the USI Community Health Center at Glenwood, I am pleased that we are able to expand our school-based health clinic initiative and now provide additional primary care services at the USI Community Health Center at Cedar Hall,” said Dr. Ann White, dean of the college.

The USI Community Health Centers are the result of a five-year $1.2 million grant to USI from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant was a collaborative effort between USI, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC), St. Mary’s Health System, and Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.

The centers provide primary health care services to neighborhood residents, including students, families, and staff. USI undergraduate and graduate students in nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, food and nutrition, social work, dental and health administration participate in delivering services to USI Community Health Center patients and neighborhood residents.

“Benefits from this partnership help our students and families in many ways,” said Cathlin Gray, EVSC associate superintendent for family, school, and community partnerships. “Families having access to a familiar place to see medical professionals for immunizations, and help when children are ill, is essential. Children who do not feel well often do not perform well in school. Our goal is to help create a community of individuals who are healthy and ready to learn. We thank all of the partners for coming together to make a difference for this community and look forward to future endeavors.”

Since the USI Community Health Center at Glenwood Leadership Academy opened in January 2012, 400 patients have been served during 792 appointments. More than half of the patients were from the Glenwood neighborhood. Fifty-eight USI students in the College of Nursing and Health Professions have benefited from the experiential learning opportunity of working with patients at the center.

The USI Community Health Center at Cedar Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. The next USI Community Health Center will open at the Juan Diego Center at Nativity Church.