MCHD, Passavant team with SIU Center for Family Medicine

By Gary Scott on September 15, 2016 at 9:35am

Yesterday’s ribbon cutting ceremony means residents of Morgan County will now have access to medical care regardless of their financial situation.

More than two years after the original idea came about, the Morgan County Health Department and Passavant Area Hospital have teamed up with SIU Center for Family Medicine.

Dale Bainter, the Director of the Morgan County Health Department, says this facility is unique for the city of Jacksonville.

“It’s an exciting day for Morgan County and the surrounding area. To integrate public health, your area hospital being Passavant Area Hospital, and to bring SIU Center for Family Medicine in is a unique model in providing all the things we’re good at and doing it in one location,” says Bainter.

According to Bainter, the MCHD is still receiving feedback from a community in need of accessible medical services.

“It provides for a population that at times has fallen through the cracks. We’ve always had people that were interested in seeing a physician and having primary care provided at the health department, that’s something we didn’t do previously. So we’ve had a lot of feedback from current clients before we opened the FQHC, to now with the SIU Center for Family Medicine being in-house, and they’re very appreciative of the availability of service and the access to care,” Bainter explains.

Bainter thanked the Boards of the Morgan County Health Department, Passavant Area Hospital and the SIU Center for Family Medicine for their support.

The Morgan County Health Department is located at 345 West State Street. Those interested in new services can call 245-5111 to learn more.