Community Health Center - Fort Dodge

Community Health Center of Fort Dodge (CHCFD) is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) located at 126 N 10th St, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Established as a non-profit organization, CHCFD plays a vital role in providing essential healthcare services to medically underserved communities in Fort Dodge and the surrounding areas, including Mason City, Dayton, Eagle Grove, Clarion, and Spencer, Iowa. Their mission is to make available quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services, disease prevention, and health promotion to anyone. A core aspect of their service model is accessibility, as they accept most insurance plans and offer a sliding fee scale based on family size and income, ensuring that no one is denied access to care due to inability to pay. They are recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, indicating a team-based approach to patient care. CHCFD provides a wide range of integrated healthcare services for patients of all ages, from infants to senior citizens. These services include: Medical Services: Comprehensive primary and preventive care, immunizations, family planning, women's health, well-child visits, physicals (including sports and DOT physicals), lab testing, acute care (e.g., fever, sore throat, minor injuries), chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, asthma), reproductive health, hormone treatment, and referrals to specialists. They also offer virtual/telehealth appointments. Dental Services: Full dental care for all ages, including examinations, X-rays, and preventative healthcare education. Behavioral Health Services: Psychosocial and psychiatric mental health assessments, counseling services, screening for medication management, development of coping strategies, individual treatment plans, and telehealth options. These services are integrated with medical care to provide holistic support. The center prides itself on having a bilingual Spanish-speaking staff to cater to diverse linguistic needs. Additionally, they employ social workers who assist patients in finding community support services and financial advocates to help with eligibility, enrollment assistance, and understanding the sliding fee scale. CHCFD also offers 24-hour on-call coverage for their patients. Their commitment extends to treating all individuals with compassion and dignity, respecting patient rights and privacy, and collaborating with other community resources to improve overall health outcomes.