Opportunity Enterprises and HealthLinc Announce Collaboration for

All Abilities Health Clinic in Valparaiso

Valparaiso, IN – HealthLinc, in collaboration with Opportunity Enterprises (OE), is

proud to announce their plan to open a health clinic at OE’s 7,500-square-foot facility

located at 3101 Evans Avenue in Valparaiso. This initiative represents an innovative

step toward improving healthcare accessibility and affordability for individuals with

disabilities and the broader community.

The HealthLinc clinic at Opportunity Enterprises will operate as an on-demand care

model, providing primary and immediate care services to the public while prioritizing the

unique needs of individuals with intellectual/developmental (IDD) and physical

disabilities. Designed with accessibility at its core, the clinic will feature mobility-friendly

exam rooms, a sensory room, an adult changing table, accessible equipment and staff

specially trained to support individuals with sensory and mobility needs.

“This clinic embodies OE’s mission of creating equitable opportunities for people

of all abilities,” states Neil Samahon, OE’s president & CEO. “By partnering with

HealthLinc, we’re not just improving healthcare access - we’re reimagining what

collaborative, community-based care can look like for people of all abilities.”

“At HealthLinc, we believe that quality health care should be accessible to

everyone,” said Melissa Mitchell, CEO of HealthLinc. “This partnership with OE is a

model for how we can provide the best quality of care by meeting the needs of

our patients. Together, we are building healthy communities.”

In addition to primary care, the facility will house physical and occupational therapy

services, creating an integrated care environment. HealthLinc, a Federally Qualified

Health Center (FQHC), will equip and operate the clinic, ensuring affordability through

sliding-scale fees and access to the 340B discounted medication program.

Key benefits of the HealthLinc clinic at Opportunity Enterprises include:

 Enhanced healthcare access for the public while prioritizing the needs of

individuals with disabilities

 Improved health outcomes through preventative and comprehensive care

 A model for statewide Medicaid savings and healthcare innovation

 New vocational training opportunities for individuals with disabilities

 Training site for residency rotations for family medicine physicians, family nurse

practitioners, behavioral health consultants and medical assistants

This clinic further cements HealthLinc and OE’s role as leaders in serving all people,

paving the way for systemic change in healthcare delivery. The clinic will also serve as

a training site for new healthcare professionals, equipping them to better serve the IDD

population.

The Board of Directors from each organization are excited to support this unique

collaboration, bringing two strong organizations together to be leaders in providing

collaborative community health care. Planning is underway and a timeline for opening is

being determined.

About HealthLinc

HealthLinc, Inc. (healthlincchc.org) is a not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center

that provides primary medical, dental, optometry, and behavioral health services to

people of all ages regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. In 1996, HealthLinc began as

Hilltop Neighborhood House, a neighborhood clinic and childcare center in Valparaiso,

IN. Since then, HealthLinc has expanded to thirteen clinics and one mobile

medical/dental clinic. HealthLinc accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Healthy Indiana Plan

(HIP), and most commercial insurance plans and provides care for uninsured patients.

Services will be provided on a sliding fee scale based on household size and income,

regardless of a patient’s insurance status.

About Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

For nearly 60 years, Opportunity Enterprises has worked to create inclusive and

equitable opportunities for people of all abilities. OE is in the business of amazing

people, with approximately 400 staff serving over 1,000 people each year. For more

information, visit oppent.org.

Photo Caption:

Melissa Mitchell, CEO of HealthLinc and Neil Samahon, president and CEO of

Opportunity Enterprises stand in front of the soon to be new HealthLinc at Opportunity

Enterprises site.