Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 2 October 2008 — Page 8

Page 8 • The Muncie Times • October 2, 2008

continued from page 1 CEO Toni Estep knows well the financial pressures on many Muncie families, having worked with some version of Open Door for nearly 30 years now. "I started out working for the Open Door Community Services in 1979 when I ran the WIC program. I feel like I've come full circle over the years," Estep said. In 1998, just 10 years ago, The Open Door Community Services program combined with a similar program hosted by Ball Memorial Hospital and when they combined, Estep said, "we honored both groups by including their names in the formation of the new organization." "It's confusing," Estep admitted, "because we are an independent corporation. We've actually talked of changing the name, but dial gets pushed back with all of the other work we have to do." Estep, a registered dietician and public health undergraduate, always has the best interests of her clients in mind. "We provide health and dental care services that are affordable for all people," she said. The Open Door/BMH Health Center offers a sliding fee scale, based upon family income and the size of the family. "We make this affordable," Estep emphasized. Currently, the Open Door/BMH Health Center, located at four different locations throughout Muncie, including a small family planning clinic in Anderson, employs 130 individuals: doctors, nurses, dieticians, medical assistants, social workers and

administrative staff members - up from 75 employees just last year. Funded by federal, state and United Way monies, the organization still has its challenges according to Estep. "Our needs are two-fold," Estep said. " We need money to operate and we need more doctors. Finding Primary Care physicians is tough nowadays. So many go into speciality care. We need family practice doctors who will serve the community and their needs." The Open Door Clinic accepts patients with no insurance, those with Medicaid, Medicare, Hoosier Healthwise and "even those who are covered by private insurance who elect to come to us for quality care. "We're really not in competition with any of the medical organizations because the majority of our patients are uninsured," Estep explained. "It's a nice facility - our clients don't just get the 'hand me downs'," Estep said. Beginning Oct. 1, The Open Door/BMH Health Center took over the previous WIC program, and now offers a Women/Infant/Children Nutrition Program, overseen by a registered dietician. "We are seeing pregnant women and their children up to the age of 5," Estep said. Health care, education and food vouchers will be available to women and children through this program. But that's not all. Beginning in November, the Open Door/BMH Health Center will be

adding mental health services. Last year, the clinic added an urgent health center. "The fact that we provide health and dental care service affordable for all people is important for the community to know," Estep said. "If people who do not have insurance wait until a problem is in the chronic , stage, then it will cost them more. We want to provide preventative services." "Our biggest issues are chronic diseases - like cardio vascular and diabetics - where patients have waited too long to be treated," Estep said. She added that the biggest challenge they see with children who need help include those with asthma and ADHD. "And we are so busy during the flu season because of all the people who come in sick - everyone from newborn infants to the elderly." Those preventative services include a long list of tests including X-rays, pap tests, mammograms, prostrate screening, immunizations, annual dental cleanings, well child check-ups, among several other dental, medical, nutritional and now mental assistances and care. The clinic also has a Family Planning Clinic where they will test and treat STDs, offer contraceptives and prenatal care. "We have grown drastically in the past year," Estep said. "We take walk ins, same day appointments and people who make appointments in advance. We also handle urgent care," Estep said. As the clinic's clientele grows and the needs expand, the four current

locations will no longer suffice. ODBMH locations include the following five facilties and locations: at 905 S. Walnut St, main medical facility; 3715 S. Madison St., prenatal clinic, family health care, dental clinic and administrative offices; 806 W. Jackson, family planning clinic; 3807 S. Madison St., urgent care and family health care; and 2525 E. 10th St., Anderson, a family planning clinic. According to Estep the Open Door/BMH Health Center has purchased the former Department of Children and Family Services building in downtown Muncie, located across from McDonalds, and for the first time will be able to consolidate all of their locations into one. "It's on the bus line so the new location will be accessible for all of Muncie to reach us," Estep said. Plans are for $4 million of renovation, yet to be raised, to take place over the next two years, slated to begin this winter. For now, the Open Door/BMH Health Center, Inc, a not-for-profit provider of community-based, comprehensive primary care, has its doors open to all residents of Delaware and surrounding counties. In 2009 administrators project that they will serve over 18,000 different clients in over 45,000 visits. First-time patients are instructed to bring the following: proof of household income, Medicaid or private insurance care (if applicable) and some money to put toward your bill. If there are any questions regarding the scope of medical, dental and mental help available,

patients are encouraged to call 286-7000. To find out more information, readers can also visit the website at www.odbmh.org. There's no excuse for any Muncie resident - regardless of employment, lack of insurance, age or financial situation — to be denied preventative care and treatment through the Open Door/BMH Health Center because their "door is always open."

Services provided at Open Door/BMH Health Center include: • Primary Care • Urgent Care • Dental Care • Prenatal Care • Pediatric Services including well/sick care and school/sports physicals • Women's Health Care • Family Planning services incuding STD and HIV testing • Specialized Diabetes Program • Immunizations • Lead Screening • Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program • Prenatal Care Coordination/Case Management • Prenatal Substance Use Prevention Program • Nutrition Education and Counseling • Health Eduction Social Services/Case Management for all ages • Referrals for specialized Health Services • Specialized Pharmacy Assistance Program • Laboratory Assistance Program • Access/Outreach Services Department • Enrollment Site for Hoosier Healthwise, Healthy Indiana Plan, Cardinal Access and Medicare part D • Transortation Services source of information: OenDoor/BMH Health Center, 3715 S. Madison St., Muncie, IN 47302, Phone: 765.286.7000