Bowen Health celebrates Bremen clinic opening

Bowen Health celebrated the opening of its new health clinic in Bremen on Wednesday. Located at 1120 West South Street in Bremen, the clinic will provide mental health care, primary health care, and substance use counseling, serving everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

The name Bowen Health pays tribute to Otis Bowen, the 44^th Governor of Indiana, who later in 1985 was appointed United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. The title he was proudest of was that of country doctor. He was known as Doc Bowen, and he practiced in Bremen for many years. So, it was only fitting, says Dr. Rob Ryan, Bowen Health President and CEO, that Bowen Health should open an office in Bremen and carry on Doc Bowen’s important work and philosophy about healthcare.  

“It’s really four things,” said Dr. Ryan. “Number one, healthcare was relational for him. He knew you when you came in. He knew you by name. You weren't a number. Number two, it was close to home. You didn't have to drive to Plymouth to get services you could get in Bremen. The third, just because it's rural, doesn't mean you're not going to get cutting-edge care. And the fourth, we like to kind of call it a sense of scrappiness. He would find a way to help the people that he served. Bremen can be proud of what Doc Bowen accomplished, and for Bowen to continue that legacy in Bremen, I can't be any prouder than that. I'm sure somewhere he's nodding, saying, ‘Good job, you finally got here’.”

Bowen Health Board Member Shirley Gidley has been a long-time supporter of integrated services that offer treatment for emotional and physical needs. 

“You can't cure the mind if somebody has something wrong with the body,” said Ms. Gidley.  “You have to cure that part of the body, as well as the mind.”

Another Bowen Health board member, Carol Hockstetler, also raised the Mind Body Bowen connection. 

“A patient can come to Bowen for a mental health condition, for help managing their diabetes, or both, or for substance use recovery treatment, and our patients can receive this full spectrum of care in one visit,” she said. “It's a privilege for Bowen to serve the residents of Bremen, but we can't do it without the support of our community, its leaders, and businesses.” 

“It's amazing to see students and children at the center of your work here in order to be able to provide mental health care, primary care, whatever our families need,” said Bremen Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Hope Amor. “Obviously, our primary focus is education, but there's so much more that comes along with the child and their experience through life. It has just been a joy to partner with your team, and we are so excited to send referrals your way.” 

“It is long overdue that we really establish our presence and have a facility here,” said Bowen Health CFO Jay Baumgartner. “And it's what every small community deserves, to have available resources here, locally available that you don't have to go to South Bend, Plymouth, or some other community."

Bowen Health Executive Director Mark Groller told the gathering about a recent evening when he was handed a phone at a community event. On the line was a family member of a veteran in Bremen who was in the middle of a mental health and substance use crisis. They didn’t know where to turn for help outside of the VA.

Mark said that he was honored to step in and share the good news about Bowen Health’s new presence in Bremen. When he let them know that help was much closer than they realized, the conversation shifted from desperation to hope. Mark was able to connect the family with the local Bremen team that evening.

“Bowen Health is here for you, Bremen, and people of this community, offering you another connection point and the ability to expand your circle,” Mr. Groller said. “We invite you and would be honored to be trusted with your care and to be a part of the community.”

Understanding what a community needs drives the services provided by Bowen Health.

“I've learned so much about the people in Bremen, particularly, and their excitement for what we're doing today,” said Chris Plack, Bowen Health Director of Community Engagement for Marshall County. “What a fitting legacy that Bowen is back in Bremen and taking care of people.”

“Our goal always has been and always will be, providing high-quality care to every person, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Bowen Health COO Shannon Hannon. “We're building hope right here in Bremen.”