healthlincchc.org

HealthLinc is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides comprehensive and affordable healthcare to the communities of Northern Indiana. It operates on a nonprofit basis, offering medical, dental, optometry, and behavioral health services, among others, regardless of a patient's ability to pay. The organization accepts Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured or underinsured individuals.

The organization began in 1996 as the Hilltop Neighborhood House Health Center, a free clinic for uninsured adults in Valparaiso. In May 2001, it became a state-funded community health center and a separate corporation. Under the leadership of CEO Beth Wrobel, who joined in 2002, the center expanded significantly. It achieved full FQHC status in 2006 and was renamed HealthLinc, Inc. in 2007. Wrobel, a mechanical engineering graduate from Valparaiso University, applied a business model to the nonprofit healthcare setting to foster growth and patient-centered care. After 21 years, Wrobel retired at the end of 2023. As of January 1, 2024, Melissa Mitchell, a 15-year veteran of the organization, took over as CEO.

HealthLinc’s services have grown from a single medical clinic to a network of 12 clinics, two school-based telehealth clinics, and a mobile medical/dental unit across several communities, including Valparaiso, Michigan City, East Chicago, and South Bend. The integrated care model provides a wide range of services such as primary and pediatric medical care, women's health, prenatal care, chiropractic, podiatry, and chronic care management. The organization also runs its own pharmacies under the HealthLinc RX brand and has established residency and training programs for medical, dental, and behavioral health professionals.

Keywords: Federally Qualified Health Center, FQHC, community healthcare, Northern Indiana, affordable healthcare, medical services, dental services, behavioral health, optometry services, uninsured healthcare, underinsured healthcare, sliding fee scale, nonprofit healthcare, Beth Wrobel, Melissa Mitchell, Valparaiso, primary care, patient-centered medical home, Medicaid provider, Medicare provider, women's health, pediatric care, mobile health clinic, substance abuse services, health insurance enrollment, medical-legal partnership, chiropractic care