May is Speech Therapy Month – BCHC Offering Speech Therapy Services for All Ages

May is Better Hearing & Speech Month.  According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), nearly 1 in 12 children between the ages of 3-17 in the US have had a disorder related to voice, speech, language, or swallowing in the past 12 months.  Not only for children, speech therapy can [...]

A message from our CEO in response to COVID-19 5/8/20

Iowa has begun the process of opening back up many of the businesses that were shuttered due to COVID-19.  To say there are mixed emotions to that decision is an understatement.  I have spoken with individuals who are relieved to get back to more of a normal life and individuals who believe this decision was [...]

BCHC Welcomes Dan McElroy, LISW – BCHC to offer Mental Health & Counseling Services through its Family Medicine Clinics

Buchanan County Health Center (BCHC) is pleased to introduce mental health and counseling services to its family medicine clinics by welcoming Dan McElroy, LISW to the organization.  Dan has spent the past five years as a counselor in the UnityPoint Health – Allen Behavioral Unit and as a therapist with Black Hawk – Grundy Mental [...]

BCHC Urgent Care Now Offering Call-Ahead Appointments

Buchanan County Health Center has made a temporary change to its urgent care practice by allowing patients to call-ahead for appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Over the past two months, we have established many additional safeguards to ensure that we dramatically reduce the transmission of illnesses,” commented Amy Van Scoyoc, Executive Director of Ambulatory Services.  [...]

Receiving Healthcare during a Pandemic

Receiving Healthcare during a Pandemic

William Schmitt, DO

BCHC Family Medicine Physician

With the current pandemic in full swing and the novel coronavirus well-established in our state, there is a palpable level of anxiety in our local communities.  There are many reasons for the anxiety and these may not be directly related to the virus [...]

When to Seek Emergency Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nathan Harmon, MD – BCHC Medical Director of Emergency

Jillian Schatzle, MSN, RN – BCHC Emergency Department Manager

In the midst of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, medical emergencies and urgent situations unrelated to the virus still occur.  So, when should you seek medical care for a condition that you feel cannot wait during this [...]

Buchanan County Health Center Family Practice Locations Now Offering Telehealth Appointments

Buchanan County Health Center is pleased to introduce telehealth capabilities at its family practice clinics in Independence, Jesup, and Oelwein.  Telehealth, or virtual medicine, allows patients to continue to see their primary care provider for acute illnesses and injuries, health concerns, routine appointments, medication management, and disease management from the comfort of their own homes.  [...]

A message from our CEO in response to COVID-19 4/3/20

I wanted to take a moment to update the community regarding our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  First, I want to say thank you to all the BCHC associates and their family members.  Whether they are working longer hours, working in higher risk environments or doing jobs they never expected they may do, I am [...]

BCHC COVID-19 Call Center

BCHC has established a community COVID-19 call center to help facilitate COVID-19 related questions and concerns.  Open seven days a week from 8am-8pm, this call center is staffed by BCHC nurses under the supervision of a provider.  To reach the BCHC COVID-19 Call Center, please dial 319-332-0894.

If you have reason to suspect you are [...]

Respiratory Clinic to Open at Buchanan County Health Center – Urgent Care to Temporarily Relocate to Medical Associates Office Space

Beginning on Monday, March 30th, Buchanan County Health Center (BCHC) will open a respiratory clinic to care for patients with respiratory illnesses to minimize exposure to patients with symptoms or injuries unrelated to a respiratory illness.

Patients with a respiratory illness and symptoms that include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should call the BCHC Call [...]

A message from our CEO in response to COVID-19

You have all undoubtedly followed the state, national, and global news regarding the coronavirus pandemic. While we have been posting almost daily on social media regarding updated changes at BCHC as well as passing along community education, I wanted to take a step back to give you a broader perspective on how we are planning [...]