Federal funding received by Greater Family Health will result in the first full-time Federally Qualified Health Center to be established in DeKalb County.
Announced by the Bureau of Primary Health Care this past Friday, the funding will allow for the transfer of KishHealth System’s Greater Family Health, Sycamore location to Greater Family Health. Greater Family Health will operate FQHC sites in both Sycamore and DeKalb, which are projected to open this coming winter.
While details have yet to be finalized, Greater Family Health will absorb the health care services provided by KishHealth System’s Greater Family Health in Sycamore, and adjoining services presently offered in the DeKalb County Health Department’s building on Annie Glidden Road. It is the goal of both organizations that staff presently employed by KishHealth System and working at the Greater Family Health will continue working at that location for Greater Family Health. Patient care is expected to remain uninterrupted.
The announcement comes after more than a year of planning and as a result of an application submitted by Greater Family Health in April 2013. The application was supported by the entire health care infrastructure in DeKalb County, a multitude of social service and human service organizations and numerous key stakeholders. The application is 1 of only 25 funded out of over 360 applications received and is the only funded application in the State of Illinois.
“We are pleased that the expanded services brought to the area by the Greater Family Health will give our community members more coverage and greater access to care. We are thankful for the support of our KishHealth System and KishHealth System Greater Family Health boards of directors for their diligence throughout this process,” said Joseph Dant, vice president of Business Development for KishHealth Systems
The Greater Family Health (formally known as Community Cares Clinic) was formed in 2009 through a unique collaboration between private donors, KishHealth System, and Northern Illinois University. The center’s goal is to provide primary care to a population that was uninsured, underinsured or enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare, who often has difficulty finding care from local physician offices.
“We look forward to expanding high-quality, affordable health care services to the residents of DeKalb County,” said Bob Tanner, President and CEO of Greater Family Health. “Our partnership with KishHealth System and others throughout DeKalb County will increase access to primary health care services, reduce costs and improve the overall health of the County,” Tanner continued.
Greater Family Health offers health care out of 29 Health Centers, five of which are full-time locations in Elgin, McHenry and Streamwood. Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Family Medicine, Gynecology, Psychiatry, Dental Care and an array of supportive services are offered. The organization presently provides care to over 33,000 people via over 104,000 medical and dental appointments annually.
Greater Family Health is accredited by The Joint Commission, indicating compliance with the highest quality standards of health care in the United States, is certified as a Patient Centered/Primary Care Medical Home and provides care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.
More information about Greater Family Health and its pending operations in DeKalb County will be available at www.gefcc.org.
