Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center and Ashley Clinic Lead Kansas in Integrated, Whole-person Care in Kansas
– Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC) and Ashley Clinic have joined to create a more accessible, efficient, and effective model of care for the citizens of Kansas. Together, they will focus on leading integrated, whole-person care and breaking down barriers for patients.
“It’s a natural progression and partnership,” stated SEKMHC CEO Nathan Fawson. “We will be able to deliver a more comprehensive approach to healthcare. One of the most challenging aspects of whole-person wellness is that individuals often see providers for their physical and mental health in different locations with different systems of care. With this partnership, we can deliver continuity of care where all providers can work as a team to help people achieve better health outcomes.”
The newly formed partnership will also benefit the employees of each organization. In an ever-changing healthcare environment, SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic are committed to providing resources to their employees and becoming a preferred employer in the community. “We are excited about what this new partnership means for expanding mental and physical healthcare to every patient. I anticipate great benefits also for our mutual providers and their staffs,” stated Dr. Charles VanHouden, MD, FACS, CWSP of Ashley Clinic.
As the two organizations looked at expansion opportunities, they each kept coming to the same conclusion: local matters. “Ashley Clinic and SEKMHC have each worked hard to deliver the highest quality of care right in our very own communities,” explained Doug Wright, chief operating officer of SEKMHC. “Through this partnership, SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic continues this commitment to serving the community for many generations to come with a dedication to integrated care.”
Ashley Clinic, founded by Dr. Samuel Ashley and his son Dr. George “Ed” Ashley in 1938, has a long-standing history of making quality healthcare accessible in Southeast Kansas. Their efforts to give patients the highest standard of care will continue. Services provided include: evisits, convenient care clinic, laboratory services, imaging services, immunizations, diabetes education, specialty clinics, sneak peek 3D/4D sonograms and pharmacy with locations in Chanute and Humboldt.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, established in 1961 as a non-profit organization, employs evidence-based practices and a whole-person approach to provide individualized treatment to clients for better overall health. They offer services and programs in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho and Woodson. SEKMHC services clients with offices in seven Southeast Kansas communities: Iola, Chanute, Humboldt, Fort Scott, Pleasanton, Garnett and Yates Center. Core services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, consultation, chemical abuse counseling, addictions counseling, case management, educational and skill-building groups, specialty training, physical healthcare coordination and 24/7 crisis intervention services. SEKMHC became a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in 2022. Find more information at sekmhc.org
Together, SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic offer more than 140 combined years of service to neighbors in Southeast Kansas.
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