Project Abstract Organization Name: Mid-Delta Health Systems, Inc. Address: 245 Madison Street Clarendon, Arkansas 72029-2706 Project Director Name: Monica Lindley, Chief Executive Officer Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax): 870-747-3381, 870-747-5555 Email Address: mlindley@mid-delta.org Website Address: mid-delta.org Grant program funds requested in the application: $1,957,966 Brief Description of the Proposed Project: Mid-Delta Health Systems, Inc. (MDHS) is an established federally qualified health center with over 30 years of experience meeting the health and wellness needs of the 5-county H80 service area (Arkansas, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, Prairie Counties, Arkansas). Leaders and staff are proficient in the nuances of care delivery within the framework of the health center model, which includes but is not limited to the accessibility and affordability to all patients regardless of the ability to pay, the sliding fee scale, 340B, integrated primary care with mental health, and the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model. The health center currently operates three sites, providing required and additional healthcare, support, and enabling services, including but not limited to medical, behavioral health, dental, pediatric, women's health, and HIV prevention. The organization is known as one of the most stable employers in each of the rural towns where services are provided (Clarendon, DeWitt and Stuttgart, Arkansas). Needs to be Addressed: The proposed service area includes five counties (Lee, Arkansas, Monroe, Phillips, and Prairie) within the largely underserved and impoverished Mid-Arkansas Delta region (southeast Arkansas). The region is extremely rural and lacks many common resources and sufficient infrastructure to support a good quality of life. There is a general lack of healthcare and mental health providers, with even fewer specialists available to provide care. HRSA has designated the region as a health professional shor
tage area (HPSA) and medically underserved area/medically underserved population (MUA/MUP) (Find Shortage Areas, HRSA, August 2023). Residents experience poor health outcomes, high chronic disease rates, and poor health behaviors (social determinants of health). Competing continuation funds will support Mid-Delta Health Systems to remain a key safety net provider in the region, offering affordable and accessible health and support services, regardless of the ability to pay. Proposed Services: Mid-Delta Health Systems provides comprehensive healthcare services, including but not limited to: medical, behavioral health, dental, pediatrics, women's health, nutrition, immunizations, medication assisted treatment for substance use, tobacco cessation, COVID-19 testing and treatment, and HIV prevention. In 2022, Mid-Delta Health Systems provided healthcare, support, and enabling services to 3,965 individuals across the 5-county service area (UDS, 2022). The health center operates three sites across the region, including Clarendon, DeWitt, and Stuttgart, Arkansas. The organization currently employs 54 staff, including 13 providers (physicians, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurses, dentist, licensed clinical social worker, and licensed professional counselor). Population Group(s) to be Served: The health center primarily serves low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents residing in Arkansas, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, and Prairie Counties, Arkansas. Individuals of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of the ability to pay, benefit from available services. Proposed Service Area Identification Number (ID), city, and state: 352, Clarendon, AR Total Number of Unduplicated Patients Projected to Serve in Calendar Year 2025: 4,000