Riggs Community Health Center Opens Access to Pediatric Health Services

Riggs Annex Opens in Collaboration with St. Elizabeth Regional Health

 Lafayette, Ind. - Riggs Community Health Center (Riggs CHC) opened a new annex September 1, 2009, in partnership with St. Elizabeth Regional Health.

 The new Riggs Annex, specializes in pediatric care, adding a Pediatrician and a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with a staff of eight. The 4,320 sq ft facility, with 6 exam rooms on the first floor and patient education space in the basement, is located at 1324 Tippecanoe Street.

 "It has been a long journey to get to this point, but we are pleased that our vision of further increasing health care access for children in need of our community became a reality through the generosity of St. Elizabeth Regional Health," said Veronique LeBlanc, Riggs CHC President & CEO.  "Riggs CHC projects to serve an additional 2,000 children at the Annex over the next two years." 

 The addition of the site will assist Riggs CHC in meeting the growing demand for services by providing much needed space to complement the current facility, housed at 1716 Hartford St.  For more than 20 years, Riggs CHC has been the sole comprehensive primary health care provider in the area offering a sliding fee scale.  Riggs CHC served 9,349 patients in 2008; 4,839 of whom were children. 

 Discussing the need and possibility of a second site began in January of 2007, as a result of the construction of St. Elizabeth Regional Health East and the subsequent vacating facility space.  Plans for a facility expansion of Riggs CHC main center are currently in process; however, the need for additional primary care services was immediate.  In December of 2008, the former St. Elizabeth Regional Health Wound Care Center was offered, examined, and accepted to house the Riggs CHC Annex.  The site was deemed ideal for its' close proximity to the current Riggs CHC facility as well as the proximity to the county WIC program located in the adjacent suite of offices. 

 "St. Elizabeth Regional Health has been very supportive of the outreach and services that Riggs provides our community and has been a proud supporter of Riggs since it opened. The opening of the Riggs Annex allows us to help further our health care mission of helping build a healthier and stronger community," said Terry Wilson, President and CEO, St. Elizabeth Regional Health.  "With the realignment of services at St. Elizabeth East and Central, we had space to offer Riggs and we are pleased to be part of enhancing health care services to our community."

 Riggs CHC's partnership with St. Elizabeth Regional Health positioned the health center to make a strong case for funding minor renovations and equipment, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009-Capital Improvement Program.  In June of 2008, Riggs CHC was awarded $577,215.00, of which approximately $111,000 was designated to the Riggs Annex project.     

 The Riggs Annex will mirror the full range of pediatric services provided at the current Riggs Community Health Center facility including but not limited to: well child checks; immunizations; ear, nose, throat; asthma management; vision; assessment and referral to social service needs; parenting education; Reach Out and Read; Baby Corner; and Baby Talk ©.  Access to comprehensive primary care and enabling services, including dental care, will still be available at the primary site.

 Established in 1988, Riggs Community Health Center, Inc. is a not-for-profit, federally qualified health center that provides quality health and dental care to area residents who have limited financial resources.

 The Riggs Community Health Center Annex will be open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, except Thursday mornings 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.  Extended pediatric hours are available on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Riggs CHC's main facility located at 1716 Hartford Street in Lafayette.  The phone number is the same for both locations' 765.742.1567.