The University of Southern Indiana is partnering with HOLA and EVSC on its third Community Health Center, located at Lodge Community School.
The new health clinic, which had its “soft opening” Thursday, aims to serve the surrounding Latino community.
HOLA is a non-profit based in Evansville that holds regular health fairs for Hispanic immigrants in various locations around the Tri-State. Volunteers from USI's nursing department regularly work these events, hence the partnership on the new health center.
Ann White, the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at USI, said it's a "win-win" for both the nursing students and those seeking care.
“These are individuals that don't have healthcare coverage, so many times instead of going to the doctor, they go to the ER," White said. "So we are providing primary care services, and if they have diabetes or hypertension, we can get them involved in activities that promote their health before they end up going to the emergency room."
White said although the clinic was established primarily for the underserved Latino population, it’s for anyone in the neighborhood needing health assistance.
The three Community Health Centers are a result of a 1.2 million dollar grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The other two Health Centers are located at Glenwood Leadership Academy and Cedar Hall Community Community School.
The Community Health Center at Lodge officially opens to the public on January 14 and will be open once a week, White said.
