NORTHWEST HEALTH SERVICES INC
Grant: $372,847 - Health Resources and Services Administration - Mar. 27, 2009
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Award Description: Northwest Health Services has set a goal to hire a bi-lingual provider in order to meet the needs of the recent influx of Spanish speaking workers from the Triumph Foods pork plant, as well as reach out to the chronically uninsured population and those that are recently (maybe for the first time) no longer able to afford insurance. Northwest Health Services is currently short 4 primary care providers, and in total Buchanan County has been declared a Health Professional Shortage Area, lacking 13 primary care providers. To meet this goal NHS will use the IDS funding to recruit a bi-lingual physician and increase the health center staffing at the South Side Health Center which is nearest Triumph Foods, by 3 FTEs. By doing so NHS would be able to help reach more of the population that is currently falling short with health care coverage. The overarching goal of this project is to enhance the quality, and accessibility to primary and preventive care by providing an additional medical physician that can meet the needs of the Spanish speaking population. The project will expand the quality of care to this population and will also provide access to other populations by decreasing the shortage of primary care providers.
Project Description: Cristyn Watkins, M.D. was hired on July 15, 2009 for the South Side Health Center in Saint Joseph, MO. Prior to her arrival NHS began the credentialing process and her Missouri license was issued on July 1, 2009. Her BNDD was issued on July 10, and her DEA was issued on July 21, 2009. Following orientation and training Dr. Watkins began seeing patients on July 20, 2009. To date NHS has not hired a medical assistant for Dr. Watkins. She currently has a nurse at .9 FTE and at this time does not need a medical assistant. The medical assistant position will remain a consideration however as her practice grows. Dr. Watkins' patient panel continues to grow as she participates in community events. Flyers have been distributed throughout the community as well to specific social service organizations in the area. NHS is working closely with a care management program for Medicaid participants ensuring that if they do not have a medical home and would like one, Dr. Watkins is available.
Jobs Summary: One Family Practice Medical Doctor and one nurse. (Total jobs reported: 2)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Mar. 27, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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