Overview

Open Door Health Center

Overview

Open Door Health Center is a non-profit community health center, providing quality affordable health care to everyone!

The Open Door team has an unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for our patients and within our community. We do this by providing integrated health care services, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.  With our cooperative, team-based approach, Open Door providers offer quality medical, dental, and behavioral health care all in one place. Open Door also offers insurance enrollment, legal assistance, and pharmacy services onsite at the main clinic in Mankato.

It’s all about increasing access to quality care. We do this by making it affordable. Most private insurance plans are accepted, as is Minnesota Care and Medical Assistance (MA). We also have a sliding fee discount system that helps individuals and families with no insurance and those with high deductible insurance pay based on income and household size.

Open Door Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Open Door Health Center receives HHS funding and is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C 254b, and is deemed a Public Health Service employer under 42 U.S.C. 233 (g)-(n)

The History of Open Door Health Center

the evolution of quality affordable health care in Southern Minnesota

Open Door Health Center began as a free health program in Mankato. Incorporated as The Wellness Center in 1983, the project was founded to meet the needs of women and children with little access to healthcare.

Throughout the 1980s a growing number of concerned community members gathered to discuss unmet health needs in greater Mankato. The group included government representatives, educators, health care providers, and other community members.

In the early 1990s, the original founders (Dr. Bill Manahan, Carl Lofy, Ann Gainey, and Annette Mcbeth) had gathered an impressive number of supporters. In 1992, these prominent healthcare and community leaders commissioned a community survey and found a surprising number of underinsured and uninsured citizens. Many people were unable to pay for prescription medication, emergency health, and preventative medical or dental care.

The organizational mission has always been to increase access to affordable quality health services.

In the fall of 1994, additional funding was used to create an independent, freestanding affordable care clinic. This clinic was the origin of the Open Door Health Center model as we know it today. Open to everyone regardless of income or insurance, the center was managed by nurses who provided healthcare services to women and children three days per week. Our healthcare providers were mostly volunteers. They offered medication help, blood pressure and diabetic screenings, immunizations, behavioral and nutritional counseling, and exams for women and school children.

As intended, the center was making a difference in the health of individuals and families in and around Mankato. The board of directors, believing unanimously that quality healthcare is a basic right, set strategies in place to ensure that all people throughout Southern Minnesota would have access to quality affordable care. And so we grew…

  • 1985

    The Wellness Center Project

    Open Door Health Center began as a free health program in Mankato. Incorporated as The Wellness Center in 1983, the project was founded to meet the needs of women and children with little access to healthcare.

  • 1996

    Open Door Health Center Received Funding

    In 1996, Open Door Health Center received funding and hired a part-time family nurse practitioner. The nurse and physician volunteers continued to offer their services, increasing weekly hours to serve even more patients.

    1996

  • 1997

    Dental Services Begin

    In 1997, dental services were implemented in the Mankato clinic. In the beginning, volunteer dentists provided care to uninsured adults and children. 

  • 1999

    The Name was officially changed to Open Door Health Center

    The name was officially changed to Open Door Health Center in 1999. Leadership, providers, staff, and volunteers continued to work together to provide affordable and patient-centered health care.

    1999

  • 2002

    Move to Holly Lane

    In 2002, Open Door moved to its current location on Holly Lane. A group of orthopedic physicians donated the then 10,000 square-foot building to Open Door Health Center.

  • 2009

    Open Door Became A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)

    In 2009, Open Door became a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This designation allowed for additional funding to enhance and expand services.

    2009

  • 2011

    ODHC Add Mobile Medical and Mobile Dental Programs

    In 2011 Open Door Health Center “rolled out” a mobile medical and mobile dental program, that has served patients in several towns across southern Minnesota.

  • 2012

    Dental Clinic in Added Mankato

    In 2012, Open Door added a dental clinic addition in Mankato. This included eight dental exam rooms, a pediatrics room, a Pan X-ray, and a lift to safely move patients from a wheelchair into a dental chair.

    2012

  • 2013

    Newly Renovated Clinic in Mankato

    In 2013, after a successful capital campaign, ODHC opened the newly renovated and expanded clinic on Holly Lane in Mankato for improved patient care.

  • 2013

    ODHC Behavioral Health Department Became Official

    Although social workers began providing individual and couple therapy as early as 2008, the Behavioral Health Department became official in 2013.

    2013

  • 2013

    ODHC Enrollment Services Department Was Created

    In 2013, the Enrollment Services Department was created in collaboration with the Minnesota affordable care marketplace (MNsure). These certified professionals assist individuals and families to apply for public health coverage in the public health insurance system.

  • 2013

    ODHC Was Designated a “Health Care Home” by the Minnesota Department of Health

    In 2013, Open Door Health Center was designated a “Health Care Home” by the Minnesota Department of Health. This designation recognized that ODHC functioned as a patient-centered clinic providing integration of medical, dental, and behavioral health services as needed.

    2013

  • 2016

    Open Door Health Center in Partnership with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

    In July 2016, Open Door Health Center in partnership with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) created Lawyers Advancing Wellness (LAW), free legal help onsite at the Mankato Clinic.

  • 2017

    Open Door Health Center Clarkfield Dental Office Opens

    In January 2017, Open Door Health Center opened the Clarkfield Dental Office providing affordable dental services to patients in Yellow Medicine County and the surrounding area.

    2017

  • 2017

    Open Door Health Center Jordan Dental Office Opens

    In October 2017, Open Door Health Center opened the Jordan Dental Office providing affordable dental services to patients in Scott County and the surrounding area.

  • 2018

    Open Door Health Center Onsite Pharmacy Was Added

    In August 2018, an onsite pharmacy was added. Managed by Genoa, prescription services followed a sliding fee scale program based on income.

    2018

  • 2019

    Open Door Health Center Same Day Appointments

    In January 2019, affordable “Same Day” medical appointments were made available for patients with acute needs such as illness or infection symptoms.

  • 2019

    Open Door Health Center Gala

    In November 2019, in celebration of the health center’s 25th anniversary, Open Door held its first-ever gala at the Mankato Civic Center

    2019

  • 2021

    Open Door Health Center Adds Integrated Services to the Jordan, MN location

    Open Door Health Center adds integrated care via telehealth to our provided services in Jordan, MN. Patients have the option of medical and behavioral health appointments, legal services, and access to a community health worker.

Open Door Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Open Door Health Center receives HHS funding and is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C 254b, and is deemed a Public Health Service employer under 42 U.S.C. 233 (g)-(n)
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