FHCSO strives to provide best possible health care – Published in the March 28-April 3 edition of the JC Sentinel
This week’s Member Spotlight is on the Family Health Center of Southern Oklahoma (FHCSO). The original grant for the Family Health Center was written by Tina Davis, current and long-time CEO, out of the need for quality health care for the low income and uninsured residents of Johnston County. Since 2004 when FHCSO opened its first clinic, the organization has been driven to provide the best care possible to the people served. This first included the population of Johnston County, before evolving into today’s service area of Johnston, Coal, and Atoka Counties in Southern Oklahoma.
FHCSO’s Board and long-term management team have planned and plotted a course of action allowing the organization to grow from one medical services clinic to a three-clinic organization, soon to be four when the Kingston location is completed, providing a full range of directly provided healthcare services. FHCSO currently serves 9,349 patients.
FHCSO is a Federally Qualified Health Clinic (FQHC) employing over 100 individuals in three counties, soon to be four. FHCSO is governed by a Board of Directors vested with the power and authority to accomplish the mission of FHCSO and has the ultimate responsibility for the health center’s operations. A majority of the Board members are individuals who are registered patients, or the legal guardian of a registered patient, served by FHCSO.
Today, FHCSO offers integrated medical and behavioral health services at all three locations, plus dental and pharmacy services in Tishomingo. FHCSO is a public, non-profit organization providing services to all individuals regardless of ability to pay. The clinic accepts most private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and SoonerCare. For those with no insurance, a sliding fee scale is offered based on income. FHCSO provides services to families and all individuals, regardless of ability to pay, but rather willingness to pay.
A vast variety of services are available, at one or all of the facilities, such as primary and preventative health care, dental services, behavioral health services, a discount pharmacy program, bone density testing, in-house laboratory, school/sports physicals, cancer screening, nutrition counseling, early prenatal care, family planning, radiology, EKGs, immunizations, pulmonary function testing, case management, hospital admissions and follow up care, patient education, weight management, ultrasound and more.
FHCSO believes in being active in the communities it serves and feels it is important to give back to the people through support, sponsorships, and donations to worthy causes. FHCSO is involved in organizations such as Johnston, Coal, and Atoka County Chambers of Commerce, Tishomingo Development Team, Johnston County Health and Wellness Committee, and the Southern Oklahoma Diabetic Coalition. We have supported activities as Alfalfa Bill Century Bike Ride, Scarecrow Contest & Junior Chamber, the Firefly Glow Run, Breakfast with Santa, Johnston County Reaching Out, the Junior Livestock Association, and various athletic organizations. FHCSO takes special pride in its float entry each year in the Independence Day and Christmas Parade.
The Tishomingo clinic is located at 610 East 24th Street and can be reached by phone Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at 580-371-2343.
Read next week for a Spotlight on Arbuckle Area Council.
“A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit.” – John C. Maxwell