IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RIGGS CHC ACQUIRES BOONE CO. COMMUNITY CLINIC
Lafayette, IN, April 1, 2016– Riggs Community Health Center (Riggs CHC) in Lafayette is merging with Boone County Community Clinic (BCCC) Lebanon, Indiana. Riggs CHC and BCCC furnish needed medical services to the underserved populations in Tippecanoe, Boone and surrounding counties, providing increased access to comprehensive, affordable primary care. Riggs CHC is one of 19 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in Indiana, established in 1988, offers a variety of primary care services including: Pediatric and Adult Care, Family Medicine, Prenatal & Women’s Health Care, Dental Care, Integrated Behavioral Health Services, Homeless Outreach, Medication Assistance Program (MAP), Health Referral Services (HRS), and Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP).
Dr. Wendell Riggs created a part time “prenatal & well-child” clinic with hopes of increasing access to health care for the area’s vulnerable children and their families. Initially Dr. Riggs’ clinic became part of the Tippecanoe Health Department and was known as Tippecanoe Community Health Clinic. Eventually the clinic separated from County Government and in 1998 became a FQHC. With the assistance of St. Elizabeth Medical Center Riggs opened a 19,000 square foot Health Clinic which is part of the three Lafayette facilities that Riggs CHC manages today. In 2009 the clinic changed the name to Riggs CHC to honor its creator, Dr. Wendell Riggs.
Current Riggs CHC President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. McQuade-Jones had a similar vision and experience as she previously held the same position with Boone County Community Clinic. BCCC was created in 1998 as part of Boone County Health Department staffed with volunteers. Incorporated in October of 2000, BCCC provided primary care to underserved Boone County residents. Since 2003 Dr. McQuade-Jones expanded the number of patient visits to over 6000 in 2015. With the assistance of Witham Hospital, BCCC separated from Boone County Government in 2009 and purchased its own building at 416 W. Camp Street in Lebanon. BCCC was the first state supported health center to be recognized Level II Patient Center Medical Home (PCMH) by National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). In 2014 Dr. McQuade-Jones left BCCC to become President/CEO of Riggs CHC.
Current CEO of Boone County Community Clinic, Todd Jones explained “these are exciting times for our clinic and the Lebanon community. The merger of our two health centers will bring additional services for our patients and establish long term financial stability for BCCC”.
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For more information please contact Courtney Payton at 765-742-1567 Ext. 3058 or email at cpayton@riggsheath.com