HealthLinc, in partnership with the Northwest Indiana Forum Foundation, has received a $940,000 grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) as part of the Regional Economic Acceleration Development Initiative (READI).
Launched by Gov. Holcomb and led by the IEDC, READI builds on the framework and successes of the Indiana Regional Cities Initiative and the 21st Century Talent Initiative, encouraging regional collaboration and data-driven, long-term planning that, when implemented, will attract and retain talent in Indiana. The $500 million READI fund was passed by legislation during the 2021 session. More information is available at IndianaREADI.com.
“We are grateful for the support of the Northwest Indiana Forum Foundation and the IEDC,” states Beth Wrobel, HealthLinc CEO. “The READI grant will significantly improve our ability to achieve health equity and positive health outcomes for our patients and communities.”
The funds, available from August 15, 2023 – June 15, 2024, will be used to expand the HealthLinc Valparaiso clinic to meet the infrastructure needs of the Northwest Health Family Medicine residency program. The Accreditation Council Graduate Medical Education (ACCGME) requires the program to meet specific standards to prepare physicians to provide high-quality medical care.
The expanded facility will support the Northwest Health Family Medicine Residency, the first of its kind in the region, with HealthLinc acting as the continuity clinic. It will include increasing the number of exam rooms, conference and learning areas for the faculty and residents to interact, offices and laboratory areas. The first class of six residents started on July 1, 2023. The three-year program will add an additional six residents each year for a total of 18.
James Leonard, interim Chief Executive Officer for Northwest Health, says, “We are pleased with HealthLinc’s dedication and involvement with our family medicine residency program. Their forward-thinking growth plans and expanded infrastructure will benefit our program for years to come.”
“One of the goals of the program is to build a pipeline of physicians who will remain in the region after completing their residency and provide quality health care to high-need patients who rely on community health centers,” states Wrobel.
According to the American Medical Association (AMA) 2019 report, 64.4% of residents remain and practice in the state where they completed their residency.
For more information on HealthLinc and our family residency program, contact Jodie Wexelberg at jwexelberg@healthlincchc.org
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is charged with growing the State economy, driving economic development, and helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Led by Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, @SecChambersIN, and governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, @GovHolcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov.
About HealthLinc
HealthLinc, Inc. (healthlincchc.org) is a not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center that provides primary medical, dental, optometry, and behavioral health services to people of all ages regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. In 1996, HealthLinc began as Hilltop Neighborhood House, a neighborhood clinic and childcare center in Valparaiso, IN. Since then, HealthLinc has expanded to twelve clinics, two telehealth clinics, and one mobile medical/dental clinic. HealthLinc accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), and most commercial insurance plans, and provides care for uninsured patients. Services will be provided on a sliding fee scale based on household size and income, regardless of a patient’s insurance status.
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HealthLinc Corporate Headquarters is located at 2401 Valley Drive, Valparaiso, IN. HealthLinc clinics span Northern Indiana and are in East Chicago, Knox, La Porte, Michigan City, Mishawaka, South Bend and Valparaiso.