NorthShore Health Centers hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 20 at their DeMotte location. NorthShore provides its services through 20 locations across the region and the opening of the DeMotte location provides community members with accessible healthcare. Sporting tours of the new facility and caring for scheduled patients, the center tended to the needs and curiosities of its visitors.
“I feel very fulfilled for helping people and being able to guide them in the community, especially when there's a need here. We're getting people from an hour away,” Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Samantha Merritt said. “There's this huge area that has no medical resources. NorthShore being here and also being able to provide services to the people of DeMotte including the lower income underprivileged population is fantastic.”
Those scheduling an appointment with DeMotte’s NorthShore Health Centers will find a variety of services including but not limited to: annual physicals, well-child check-ups, vaccinations, sick visits, women’s health tests, and screenings. Previously, this area did not have access to many of these resources, so NorthShore providing them is monumental for the community of DeMotte.
DeMotte’s NorthShore Health Center had refreshments available at the open house provided by local businesses. Being able to provide refreshments and decorations for the event while supporting local businesses was important to the organization. Cup of Joy contributed their “Funky Monkey” and “Cinnabon” coffees as well as their iced tea. Koekje Mill offered various cookies, and balloons with other refreshments coming from Strack & Van Til.
CEO of NorthShore Health Centers, David Hall, also stressed the organization’s desire to be a part of the community.
“With this being the 20th clinic we have opened, and the first in the Jasper County, we want to be an anchor to the community. With our recent growth, we see opportunities to become involved in and assist in local areas. And DeMotte is a great addition to our current locations.” said Hall. He also pointed out the need in the community for more healthcare providers was a driving force to branch out into a new county. “NorthShore is about providing quality and comprehensive healthcare for all. We are looking to build a healthier community one patient at a time and welcome the opportunity to do this in the DeMotte area.”
Family Nurse Practitioner, Sarah Brentlinger, is primarily responsible for health maintenance duties such as checking blood pressure and managing chronic care issues such as diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Being a native of DeMotte, Brentlinger is pleased by her familiar surroundings and serving her community.
“I'm seeing people that are my neighbors,” said Brentlinger. “It's nice to shop and live here. We're all in the same area and become more involved in the community. I feel like a more active member.”
If you’d like to learn more about NorthShore Health Centers or schedule an appointment: www.northshorehealth.org.
