Family Health Services collaborating to bring services to Huron County
By ALLYSON LANE
Fisher-Titus
Recognizing the need for local-based health care to serve Huron County residents with limited financial resources, Family Health Services (Sandusky) has secured a letter of intent to collaborate on providing such services with Fisher-Titus.
“We are pleased to enter planning discussions with Fisher-Titus to introduce our Patient Centered Medical Home to Huron County residents,” said David Tatro, CEO of Family Health Services. “Our discussions will focus on the medical, dental and behavioral health needs of the area’s underinsured and uninsured residents.”
Community Health Centers provide health care options for those who can’t afford to see medical, dental and/or behavioral health providers due to income restrictions or lack of adequate health insurance coverage. Community Health Centers are supported by government funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration in areas designated as medically underserved. This funding — along with other health care sources of funding, such as foundations, community grants and philanthropy — allows community health centers the ability to provide access to high-quality medical care, mental health services and dental services to children and adults regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
“Through recent efforts by a group of private citizens in Norwalk, Huron County was designated by HRSA and the Governor of Ohio as a medically underserved area which allows us to introduce these services” Tatro said. “The desire of this group of private citizens to bring health care services to Huron County residents in need will live on through Family Health Services”.
Fisher-Titus was an active supporter of the county’s designation as underserved and welcomes Family Health Services to the community.
“Fisher-Titus is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Family Health Services in addressing the medical, dental and behavioral health needs of the underserved residents of Huron County” said Dr. Brent Burkey, President & CEO, Fisher-Titus. “Community Health Centers and outreach clinics help build healthier communities, and we will support Family Health Services efforts through coordination and access to our Fisher-Titus Medical Center based services.”
Family Health Services received its Notice of Award from HRSA in 2015 as a Federally Qualified Health Center. Currently FHS is made up of multiple clinics in Sandusky, and is offering medical, dental and behavioral health services to over 5,000 residents. FHS currently has 16 family practice physicians on staff. Additionally, the staff of FHS include advanced nurse practitioners, licensed independent social workers and an obstetrician. FHS plans to open a Dental clinic in July of 2020 which will include both dentists and hygienists. For information, visit familyhs.org.
Fisher-Titus is an independent not-for-profit community health system dedicated to the health and wellness of the greater Huron County area. Fisher-Titus Health provides the area’s 70,000 residents a full continuum of personalized, quality care and includes Fisher-Titus Medical Center, a 99-bed acute care hospital; Norwalk Memorial Home, a 69-bed skilled nursing facility; The Carriage House of Fisher-Titus, a 48-unit assisted living facility; an employed physician group; emergency transportation service; retail pharmacy; and home health care services. For information, visit fishertitus.org.
