The ribbon cutting of the Brickie Community Health Clinic was outdoors on Tuesday afternoon. The Hobart ROTC provided the presentation of flags for the Pledge of Allegiance and Wolffgang gave a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. Hobart’s Cheerleaders and band provided entertainment as the crowd gathered to witness the Grand Opening of the Brickie Community Health Clinic, which is located within Hobart High School.
The partnership between St. Mary Medical Center and the School City of Hobart is a familiar one. Dr. Buffington stated she approached St. Mary’s CEO Janice Ryba about the idea of the Center after having partnered with them in programs such as the Teaching Garden and Diabetic Education, as well as involvement with Parent As Teachers and EMT classes among a few.
“The formation of the Brickie Community Health Clinic is a natural progression of the long-standing relationship we have had with St. Mary Medical Center,” stated Buffington. “The Brickie Community Clinic will provide easy access to both the students of the entire Hobart Community, as well as the employees.” Buffington presented Ryba with a gift of appreciation stating, “You have made a difference for children,” before “Gearing Up” both Janice Ryba and Julie Burk in the good old Purple and Gold, providing them with quite the wardrobe to wear at HHS. Burk will be the Nurse Practitioner located in the Clinic. “My goal is to bring healthcare to the people in a friendly and less intimidating environment.”
Deb Glass and Betty Funkhouser led a group of middle school students in making “Healthy is for Me” posters that decorated the entry into the school. Emily Zanolla and Madison Pizer read a poem entitled “Live Long, Live Well.”
The clinic houses two exam rooms and will be led by a Nurse Practitioner and a Medical Assistant. Basic primary care services such as physicals, health education and risk prevention, and immunizations will be offered through the clinic. Most major insurance carriers are accepted, and billing will be done through St. Mary Medical Center. They encourage you check with your healthcare insurance provider to make sure they cover Nurse Practitioners. The clinic will also accept check, cash, and credit. Many State and Federal Assistant programs are accepted as well.
Hours for the Clinic are Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Clinic is located at Door 11 at the High School, 2211 E. 10th Street. The clinic can be reached at 219-945-9383 or by fax at 219-945-9384. Express Enrollment from October 29 through November 11 is encouraged.
After the ribbon cutting, the clinic was available to view after snacking on delicious refreshments. The festivities also included a Halloween Costume Parade in the Frank Kurth Fieldhouse. A variety of costumed trick or treaters were out making the rounds and visiting the spooky decorations.