The Riverside Community Health Center is located as an addition to the Riverside Local Schools Building, which can be accessed by the State Route 235 entrance to the facility. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
After more than two decades, residents in the village of DeGraff and the surrounding areas — young and old alike — have medical care available to them at a close-to-home site unveiled Friday, Oct. 13, at the dedication of the Riverside Community Health Center.
The 1,500 square-foot health center addition installed at Riverside Local Schools at a cost of approximately $2.8 million is made possible through a “crazy idea,” according to Superintendent Dr. Scott Mann, and a close collaboration between the school and Community Health & Wellness Partners.
It was a need that sprung out of the pandemic, when the district leader observed the delays that families in the area experienced with having their children seen at medical offices located in nearby bigger cities. The students often missed multiple days of school before they could be seen by a provider, and it was challenging for parents to rearrange work schedules to make it to the appointments.
Dr. Mann and Riverside Treasurer Ronnie Fitchpatrick reached out to CHWP President/CEO Tara Bair in 2020 regarding the need for a school-based health center, which quickly evolved into the idea for a health center serving the entire community.
Bair applied for and was awarded a school-based health center grant from the Ohio Department of Health/Ohio Department of Education for the site totaling $683,000. Garmann Miller provided the design work for the space, and in recent months, construction firm H.A. Dorsten Inc. completed the build.
Now Riverside students and staff, along with area residents, can take advantage of medical and behavioral health care available at the Riverside Community Health Center, which features clinic spaces for students and staff on one end of the building, and separate clinic space for the public on the other side of the facility.
“Sometimes, it all starts with a crazy idea,” Dr. Mann said. “I want to thank Tara (Bair) for doing the heavy lifting and writing the grant.
“We like being at the tip of the spear. We’re not afraid to take a chance to meet an important need. I’m already hearing from senior citizens in our community who are very excited to have this location close to home, where they can receive health services.
“Schools and communities have to work together. It’s a small world. We have to stop being entities that play in our own sandboxes. Thank you to CHWP for being a partner and for saying ‘yes.’”
Bair said she was excited about the site being the CHWP’s first school and community-based clinic. CHWP also operates school-based health centers at Benjamin Logan, Indian Lake and West Liberty-Salem school districts.
“We welcome anyone and everyone for person-centered care,” the president/CEO said of the new site. “We want to give the residents the care they need without needing to travel far.
“We hope you are proud of the facility and hope that you will come to us for your health care needs.”
DeGraff Mayor Stephanie Orsborne also detailed a unique milestone for the village with the opening of the clinic.
“Our village has been without a doctor now for about 25 years,” she said, mentioning that Dr. James McGriffith previously operated a medical office in DeGraff. “After many months of anticipation, it is finally here. We are so thankful for everyone who made this day possible.”
Taylor Armstrong, legislative aide for State Rep. Tim Barhorst, offered congratulations on behalf of the Ohio House of Representatives during a ceremony that proceeded tours through the new health center.
“Big things are happening in Ohio’s small towns. The school and Community Health & Wellness Partners joined together to provide a solution to a dire need. It’s good to see these local solutions prevail.”
Julie DiRossi-King, Ohio Association of Community Health Centers president/CEO, shared recent statistics that showed the need for school-based clinics. She said during the 2020-21 school year, one in five Ohio children didn’t have a place to go when they were sick, and she detailed the rising rates of depression and anxiety affecting youths.
“I love crazy ideas; no health center is going to be successful without strong visionaries,” she said. “This is an investment in our kids, our families and in our future. “
Since CHWP staff began serving at the building in a temporary space during March, Bair said they have seen 118 patients in 152 visits. Now with the health center addition open just as of this week, they are excited to serve even more patients.
CHWP staff working at the Riverside Community Health Clinic include Tiffany Hemmert, certified nurse practitioner; Mary Robinson, licensed practical nurse; Ashley Clatworthy and Alayna Levingston, team care case managers; Christi Yontz-Hall, behavioral health provider; and Kelly McGillivray, outreach associate.
Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Same day appointments are available. The clinic can be reached at (937) 599-1411.
Guests tour the new Riverside Community Health Center Friday at the celebration of the grand opening of the facility. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
Riverside Superintendent Dr. Scott Mann, center, speaks Friday at a grand opening celebration for the new Riverside Community Health Center. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
Riverside students and staff can be seen at the new health center in separate clinic spaces than those that are utilized by the public. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)