A message from Laura Waldvogel, CEO:
Along with you, Laura Waldvogel too is experiencing a wide range of emotions in response to acts of violence against people of color across the nation. The systemic inequity that has become so apparent contributes to the disparities that is addressed daily as a community health center. It is La Clinica’s duty to work to improve access to health for all and provide high quality, affordable care so that everyone in the community can succeed and thrive.
This opportunity is to reaffirm the commitment to La Clinica’s mission to improve the health and wellbeing of all people in the communities served. These last few months have placed extraordinary challenges upon all of us. This is a time when additional care must be offered and support to one another and to patients. La Clinica will continue through these difficult times together.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fam-ily Health La Clinica has had to radically change the way care is delivered. As this crisis evolves and affects more people in communities, the need for La Clinica’s services has never been more critical. La Clinica wants you all to know that FHLC remains open and ready to provide care, safely.
At this time, community members are urged not to hold off on important care such as preventative screenings, immunizations, or follow up care. La Clinica is reaching out to patients with chronic conditions to ensure they are not delaying important health care services. Additionally, all staff are welcomed back, as some have been on paid leave due to needed restrictions and modifications to operations.
Please know that patient and staff safety is the top priority. Additional infection-control procedures including increased cleaning, enhanced HEPA filters, and added UVC disinfection technology have been added. The following are some additional updates and reminders regarding the services that are available to all who need them:
As part of the commitment to the safety of staff and patients, before entering the clinics La Clinica will continue to screen patients for fever and symptoms and ask staff and patients to wear masks while in the clinic. Dental patients with fevers and or cough and cold symptoms will be asked to reschedule. All patients being seen for COVID-19 testing and/or respiratory symptoms will not be seen inside the clinic but will instead be seen in the mobile clinic onsite in Wautoma.
FHLC restored full hours of operation on June 8 at all its dental locations and has resumed full dental services. Even before this pandemic, the dental clinics followed very strict hygiene practices. As dental services resume, those practices will be maintained and new CDC guidance for dental clinics will be followed. La Clinica is taking these additional steps to ensure patient and staff safety. These steps may increase appointment length but are essential safety precautions.
La Clinica has tele-medicine visits available for primary medical care and behavioral health services. Telehealth services do not cost more than an in-office visit and are covered by most health insurance plans. More information about scheduling telehealth visits can be found at www.famhealth.com. Patients can also call La Clinica at 1-800-942-5330 for more information on how to set up a MyChart account for access to these services.