Among organizations that step up to meet the needs of people, the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge is in a class by itself.

Since it opened in 2006, the center has been steadily growing, both in terms of the services it provides and the geographic area it serves And now it is growing once again.

The original center in downtown Fort Dodge just offered medical care when it opened. Then dental care was added, followed by behavioral health care. The latest expansion of services will bring eye exams to the center.

To make things even better for patients, some of those services will be offered later in the evening. A recently received award of $500,000 from the federal government will make it possible for the center at 126 N. 10th St. to be open until 8 p.m. on weekdays. Now it closes at 5 p.m. During those extra three hours, primary medical care, mental health medication management, therapy services and urgent care will be available.

In addition to the growth in services, the center has expanded the area it serves. A clinic in Dayton opened in 2014. Sites in Mason City (2018), Eagle Grove (2023) and Clarion (2024) followed. Earlier this month an expansion into Spencer was announced. The opening of a Spencer location won’t have much impact locally, but it demonstrates the determination of the health center’s leadership and staff to reach out to as many people as they possibly can.

And because of the organization’s status as a federally qualified health center, its services are widely needed. That federal status means the center accepts most private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and can offer a sliding fee schedule based on a patient’s ability to pay. The center is there to provide care to everyone, regardless of their insurance or financial status. That makes it a vital presence in the communities it serves.

We are fortunate to have such a center based in Fort Dodge and operated by such a dedicated staff. Its presence improves the health and quality of life of the entire community.

We salute those who work at the center, taking care of those who might not get care if it did not exist.