DERWOOD BRETT
Healthy Connections, Inc, a community based non-profit medical clinic that has served low income families in western Arkansas since 1998, has been awarded a $1 million grant to expand the principal office complex and clinic in Mena, according to a notification letter from the HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration).
The funding will be used to add approximately 3,000 sq. ft. of additional examination rooms and space for a variety of ancillary services, according to Tony Calandro, CEO of the organization, which serves patients in a large part of western Arkansas, including Polk, Montgomery, Scott, Sevier, Pike, Garland, Hot Spring and Howard counties.
In addition to medical and dental services, the clinics offer mental health services and specialty services through arrangements with other doctors and clinics. They also presently have school-based clinics in Acorn, Malvern and Cossatot Community College.
The grant application specifies the addition of 10 exam rooms, two restrooms, and an x-ray room.
HCI is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center. The organization provided medical and dental services to over 26,000 in 2014, and patient count has risen steadily with the addition of new clinics.
Construction on the facility addition will begin later this year and will be complete in 2017, Calandro said.
