News Release

AUBURN — Special guest speakers, a ribbon cutting and public tours will mark the opening of a Bowen Health Clinic at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 11, in Auburn.

Co-located with the outpatient office at 923 Cardinal Court, the new clinic will continue Bowen Center’s move toward integrating physical health care with mental health care and addiction recovery services for patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

“Our integrated health care team can address the physical and mental health needs of each patient and ensure they live their best lives longer,” said Karla Benitez, director of Bowen Center – DeKalb. “We are proud to be a trusted health care partner working to address and eliminate barriers to treatment and meet the needs of our community.”

Bowen Center began adding primary care services at its existing locations in 2020. By the April 11 opening of the health clinic in Auburn, all Bowen Center locations will offer primary health care in addition to their mental health services.

“The fact of the matter is, when someone has a mental illness, their physical health is often neglected,” said Rob Ryan, Bowen Center president and chief executive officer. “So often you’ll see someone who lived with a mental illness die young, and it was completely preventable had their physical health been addressed. We aim to change that in the communities we serve, and we’re proud to now offer primary health care along with mental health care and addiction recovery services in all of our locations. It’s called integrative health care, and it is making a difference.”

The public is welcome to attend the ribbon cutting and to tour the facility. There will also be light refreshments and giveaways.

Speakers at the ribbon cutting will include: Ryan; Benitez; Judge Adam Squiller, DeKalb Superior Court 1; Jeremiah Otis, director of innovation, Fortify Life; Dr. Siquilla Liebetrau, vice president of clinical services at Bowen Center; Shannon Hannon, Bowen Center chief operating officer; and Mary Martin, regional director for U.S. Sen. Mike Braun.

Bowen Health Clinic welcomes Medicaid, and no one is turned away for an inability to pay. To make an appointment, call (800) 342-5653.