(Photo provided, Opportunity Enterprises)
(Photo provided, Opportunity Enterprises)
(Photo provided, Opportunity Enterprises)
(Photo provided, Opportunity Enterprises)
In Valparaiso, HealthLinc Opportunity Enterprises broke ground on its newest clinic, located at Opportunity Enterprises (OE), 3101 Evans Avenue in Valparaiso. OE said the clinic will provide primary, immediate, and dental care to the public while prioritizing the unique needs of individuals with intellectual/developmental (IDD) and physical disabilities. The 7,500-square-foot clinic will feature mobility-friendly exam rooms, a sensory room, an adult changing table, accessible equipment and staff specially trained to support individuals with sensory and mobility needs. Physical and occupational therapy services will also be housed in the facility and operated by OE. “At HealthLinc, we believe quality health care should be accessible to everyone,” said Melissa Mitchell, CEO of HealthLinc. Today we are putting that belief into the ground. This clinic will welcome every member of our community, and it will be a place where patients with disabilities are expected, welcomed and understood. Together, we are building healthy communities.”
“This clinic embodies OE’s mission of creating equitable opportunities for people of all abilities,” said Neil Samahon, president and CEO of Opportunity Enterprises. Too many people with disabilities go without routine care because the system was not built with them in mind. Seeing shovels in the ground on our property means that is about to change for families across our region.”
HealthLinc, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), will equip and operate the clinic, ensuring affordability through sliding-scale fees and access to the 340B discounted medication program, a news release said. The HealthLinc clinic at Opportunity Enterprises will also provide new vocational training opportunities for individuals with disabilities and serve as a training site for residency rotations for family medicine physicians, family nurse practitioners, behavioral health consultants and medical assistants Construction is expected to be complete by Summer 2027.
