We are proud to announce that Riggs Community Health Center (Riggs CHC) has been selected to receive a $1 million Health Infrastructure Investment Program (HIIP) grant. Located in Lafayette, Indiana, Riggs CHC provides comprehensive primary, dental and behavioral care services to underserved community members.

Awarded HIIP funds will be used to renovate Riggs CHC’s Hartford Street facility in order to serve additional patients, address primary care provider shortages, and incorporate interprofessional, team-based care. The renovation will enable Riggs CHC to double its number of patient visits, from 39,000 visits to 69,000 visits per year. By increasing exam space, Riggs CHC will be able to add seven new providers, helping to reduce the provider shortage in this federally-designated health professional shortage area. In addition, the renovation will enable team-based care in a new “pod” layout which has been shown to improve patient outcomes and patient and provider satisfaction. This configuration will advance Riggs CHC’s plans for a new preceptor model for Family Nurse Practitioner students in partnership with the Indiana University School of Nursing and Eskenazi Health (the safety-net health care system in nearby Indianapolis).

As always, Words for Good was honored to assist our client in making such big plans a reality…way to go, Riggs CHC!