Welcome to this new feature on the Center for Health and Wellness, Inc. (CHW) webpage called the President's Corner. It is my pleasure to launch this opportunity to communicate with you about the Center for Health and Wellness and the dedication of the Board of Directors and staff in fostering the Center's vision, mission and core values. This is CHW's 10th Anniversary and I'm pleased to share that the Center is “alive and well”.

As President serving from April 28, 2005--April 24, 2008, I am pleased to share that the Center has made major advancements in the Center's vision of “promoting a healthy community” in the areas of the medical clinic, Outreach Program, and continually moving forward in keeping the community at large informed about the healthcare services provided to citizens in the Northeast sector of Wichita and Sedgwick County by the Center for Health and Wellness, Inc.

In working in concert with Beverly J.White, CEO, who has served in that position for the last three years, the Board has seen numerous advancements. For example, a highlight has been the re-entry of Dr. Maurice Duggins as the Medical Director of the Center's clinic. Under his able direction and administration the patient load is ever-increasing as more uninsured and underinsured are being served through his medical practice and assisted by the Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, registered nurses and support staff. A stable clinic administrative and support staff are vital to the quality of care provided through the clinic. The clinic waiting room is often filled to capacity demonstrating that the Center is indeed accessible to those who need primary health care. The Board of Directors is proud of the services provided so ably by the clinic staff in implementing the mission of the Center for Health and Wellness.

Another major advancement for the Center is the initiation of the Pre-Natal/Obstetrical services in partnership with the KU School of Medicine and Via Christi Department of Family Practice that brings OB/GYN medical residents to the Center weekly. These medical residents practice under the watchful eye of their supervising medical faculty in monitoring pregnancies to ensure healthy babies for the future. The Center is enjoying the presence of these medical residents and the ever-increasing numbers of pregnant women seeking pre-natal care. In the near future there will be a dental clinic to assist patients with their dental care needs.

The Outreach Program provides opportunities for the citizens in the community to take advantage of health screenings to detect early symptoms of disease that may be treated in the medical clinic to avoid complications and hospitalizations. This important segment of health care services is critical to promoting the Center's vision and mission.

Finally, the core values are in evidence in that the patients who come to the Center are treated with dignity and respect, provided a quality of health care, with health care education to promote health and wellness with a sense of community and belongingness so that the Center becomes their medical home-a place where continuity of health care may be received by a caring and compassionate staff.