HealthLinc expanding Valpo clinic with READI funds
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HealthLinc is planning a $1.5 million expansion of its Valparaiso clinic.
The project will be funded in part by a $940,000 READI grant awarded to HealthLinc and the Northwest Indiana Forum Foundation.
HealthLinc leaders say the expansion will allow the not-for-profit health center to expand its Northwest Health Family Medicine Residency program with HealthLinc Valparaiso serving as a continuity center.
The expansion is expected to increase the number of exam rooms, conference and learning space, offices and laboratory areas within the clinic.
HealthLinc’s first class of six residents started this summer, and the not-for-profit expects it will add an additional six residents each year of the three-year program.
The funding will also support additional roles, including two medical assistants, one patient service representative and one community health worker, a HealthLinc spokesperson told Inside INdiana Business in an email.
READI, or Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, has provided $500 million to 17 regions throughout the state.
The READI grant funds are available to the clinic from until June 15, 2024. A spokesperson said the clinic’s expansion is expected to wrap up by June 2024.
HealthLinc leaders say they hope the expansion can help build a pipeline of new physicians who will stay in the region after completing their residency. More than 64% of residents stay and practice medicine in the state where they completed their residency, HealthLinc officials said citing a 2019 report from the American Medical Association.
“We are pleased with HealthLinc’s dedication and involvement with our family medicine residency program,” Northwest Health interim CEO James Leonard said in a news release. “Their forward-thinking growth plans and expanded infrastructure will benefit our program for years to come.”
HealthLinc has more than a dozen locations across northern Indiana.