Bowen Center had a ribbon cutting for its new Bowen Center Health Clinic, 2219 E. DuBois Drive, Warsaw, on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The clinic offers physical health care to the general public. From left: Bowen Center Vice President of Integrated Health Care Shannon Hannon, Bowen Center Board Member Dan Woods, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer and Bowen Center Senior Vice President of Operations and Incoming CEO Dr. Robert Ryan. InkFreeNews photos by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Kosciusko County has a new option for health care through the recently-opened Bowen Center Health Clinic.

The Bowen Center held a ribbon cutting for its new facility at 2219 E. DuBois Drive, Warsaw, on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The new facility is meant to unite physical and mental health care.

Bowen Center President/CEO Kurt Carlson shared how important it is for those with mental health needs to have their physical health taken care of as well. He pointed to higher rates of smoking and diabetes among those with mental health issues and cited that they typically die at a younger age.

People don’t have to be struggling with mental health or be Bowen Center patients to utilize the new clinic though. It’s open to the general public.

Wellness checks, vaccinations and sick visits are just some of the services the clinic provides. Nurse Practitioner Katie Leckrone is a full-time employee. She’s supervised by Dr. Michael Williams of Warsaw.

Two more physicians will join the staff in the future.

Unique to the clinic is Behavioral Health Consultant Karen Trujillo. She’s providing mental health services.

If a patient visits the clinic, they’ll be offered the opportunity to visit her and talk about any mental health issues they might be facing.

The goal is for Trujillo to provide short-term health care quickly, while referring more long-term issues to the main Bowen Center campus. However, the clinic might offer more intensive mental health care later on.

The clinic is open to people regardless of ability to pay. They are accepting insurance, Medicare and Medicaid and offering other means by which to pay.

Clinic hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Bowen Center President/CEO Kurt Carlson speaks at the ribbon cutting.

A look at the receptionist area of the clinic.