LUDOWICI -- Area residents and state leaders recently attended the grand opening of the Diversity Health Center here.
Hosted by the Diversity Board of Directors, the event culminated a process put into play when the board applied for and received status and funding as a federal qualified health center.
Qualified centers are private, not-for-profit health care centers that provide comprehensive primary and preventive care to medically underserved and uninsured populations. To qualify for designation, an area must first be designated as medically underserved by the federal government, based on criteria established by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The funding opportunity that Diversity Center in Long County applied for and received was also specifically designated for the 200 poorest counties in the United States.
Diversity Health Center is in Suite A of Liberty Square on 17 McDonald Street. The new clinic has six examination rooms and a staff consisting of a physician, nurse practitioner, medical technicians and data processing clerks. Deidre Michelson is the interim chief executive officer.
The center is open to all residents, regardless of their ability to pay. In addition to a sliding fee scale with discounts based on family size and income in accordance with federal guidelines, residents with Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance are also treated.
Diversity Board Chairwoman Connie Thrift and other board members welcomed a large turnout that included Jared Downs from U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson's office, Kathryn Murph from Sen. Saxby Chambliss's office and George Lee from Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's office.
Attendees got tours and refreshments provided by WellCare of Georgia.
Hosted by the Diversity Board of Directors, the event culminated a process put into play when the board applied for and received status and funding as a federal qualified health center.
Qualified centers are private, not-for-profit health care centers that provide comprehensive primary and preventive care to medically underserved and uninsured populations. To qualify for designation, an area must first be designated as medically underserved by the federal government, based on criteria established by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The funding opportunity that Diversity Center in Long County applied for and received was also specifically designated for the 200 poorest counties in the United States.
Diversity Health Center is in Suite A of Liberty Square on 17 McDonald Street. The new clinic has six examination rooms and a staff consisting of a physician, nurse practitioner, medical technicians and data processing clerks. Deidre Michelson is the interim chief executive officer.
The center is open to all residents, regardless of their ability to pay. In addition to a sliding fee scale with discounts based on family size and income in accordance with federal guidelines, residents with Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance are also treated.
Diversity Board Chairwoman Connie Thrift and other board members welcomed a large turnout that included Jared Downs from U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson's office, Kathryn Murph from Sen. Saxby Chambliss's office and George Lee from Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's office.
Attendees got tours and refreshments provided by WellCare of Georgia.