7 Shocking Facts About Siouxland Community Health Center's $2 Million Impact And 2025 Expansion
The Siouxland Community Health Center (SCHC) stands as a critical pillar of affordable, high-quality healthcare for thousands of residents across the Iowa and Nebraska region. As of December 19, 2025, the organization is undergoing a significant transformation, fueled by a major competitive federal grant and an ambitious, multi-phase facility remodel designed to meet the growing needs of the Siouxland community. This expansion ensures that comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services remain accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
The center’s commitment goes beyond basic care; it represents a collaboration between local hospitals—UnityPoint and MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center—and federal funding to operate as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This designation allows the SCHC to provide a broad spectrum of services and serve as a true patient-centered medical home for Woodbury County, IA, and Dakota County, NE residents.
The Siouxland Community Health Center Leadership and Profile
The success and expansion of the Siouxland Community Health Center are directly attributable to a dedicated team of executive leaders and a governing board composed of community members. Their mission is clear: to improve the health of the communities they serve by providing access to high-quality, affordable, comprehensive health care.
- Mark Donaldson (Chief Executive Officer): As the top executive, Donaldson guides the overall strategy and operational excellence of the multi-location FQHC, ensuring the mission of affordable care is met.
- Shelby Petersen (Chief Operations Officer): Petersen oversees the day-to-day functions, managing the complex logistics of multiple clinics, urgent care centers, and specialized service departments.
- Talia Peterson (Chief Financial Officer): The CFO manages the financial health, crucial for a non-profit FQHC that relies on a mix of federal grants, patient revenue, and private funding from the Siouxland Community Health Foundation.
- Governing Board Leadership: The SCHC is governed by a community-majority board, including key members such as Dr. Dona Prince, Treyla Lee, Jennifer Jackson, Neil Bartholomew, and Willie Suárez, who provide essential oversight and community perspective.
- Medical and Clinical Teams: Teams of medical providers, including physicians, physician assistants (PA-C), and nurse practitioners (ARNP) like Mary McGowan and David Faldmo, lead the clinical services in both the Iowa and Nebraska locations.
Fact 1: The $1.9 Million Competitive Grant Fueling 2025 Initiatives
The financial foundation for the SCHC’s current impact was significantly bolstered by a substantial competitive grant awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This funding, totaling nearly $2 million ($1,963,370), is designated to help offset operational costs and, critically, to provide and expand services across the Siouxland area.
This federal funding is vital for a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) as it allows them to offer a sliding fee scale, ensuring that low-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients receive care based on their income, not their insurance status. The grant directly supports the expansion of critical programs, ensuring that the center can maintain high patient volumes and introduce new, needed health initiatives in 2025 and beyond.
The competitive nature of this grant underscores the SCHC’s high performance and its ability to demonstrate a profound impact on community health outcomes compared to other applicants nationwide. It is a direct investment in the health of Woodbury and Dakota Counties.
Fact 2: A Massive 7-Phase Facility Remodel is Underway
To accommodate the expansion of services and improve the patient experience, the Siouxland Community Health Center has been engaged in a multi-year, multi-phase remodeling project. This is not a simple renovation; it is a comprehensive, 7-phase overhaul of nearly the entire facility.
The remodeling efforts are strategic, focusing on modernizing clinical spaces and improving operational flow. Key components of this extensive project include:
- Remodeling various clinic exam rooms to enhance patient privacy and provider efficiency.
- Converting existing space into new office areas to support the growing administrative and social services teams.
- Relocating and expanding the on-site pharmacy to offer greater convenience for patients filling prescriptions immediately after their appointments.
This ongoing construction, managed by partners like H & R Construction Co., demonstrates the center's long-term commitment to providing a state-of-the-art medical environment for its patients and staff.
Fact 3: Comprehensive Care Beyond the Clinic Walls
The SCHC operates as a true Patient-Centered Medical Home, meaning it offers far more than just primary care. This comprehensive approach is a key differentiator in the Siouxland region, addressing the full spectrum of patient wellness.
The Core Services Portfolio:
- Medical Services: Led by a team of physicians and advanced practice providers, covering everything from routine physicals to chronic disease management.
- Urgent Care: Available at both the main Sioux City clinic and the South Sioux City location, providing a convenient alternative for immediate, non-emergency medical needs.
- Dental Services: Essential for overall health, the center provides comprehensive dental care, which is often a significant barrier for low-income families.
- Behavioral Health: Recognizing the critical link between mental and physical health, the SCHC integrates behavioral health services directly into its care model.
- Pharmacy and Lab: On-site services, including a pharmacy and lab, streamline the patient experience, allowing for immediate testing and prescription fulfillment.
- Social Services: A vital component of the FQHC model, social services assist patients with navigating complex social determinants of health, such as housing, food insecurity, and transportation.
Fact 4: Dual-State Impact in Iowa and Nebraska
The "Siouxland" area is a tri-state region, and the SCHC strategically addresses this by maintaining critical operations in both Iowa and Nebraska. The main hub is located at 1021 Nebraska St. in Sioux City, IA, serving Woodbury County. However, the center also operates a crucial satellite office in South Sioux City, NE, ensuring that residents of Dakota County, NE, have local access to medical and urgent care.
This dual-state presence is essential for providing coordinated care and addressing the unique Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) findings for the entire region, with the latest assessment covering the 2025-2027 period.
Fact 5: The Center’s Roots in Hospital Collaboration
The Siouxland Community Health Center was not established in isolation. It was founded as a direct collaboration between two major local hospital systems: UnityPoint and MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center (formerly Marian Health Center). This foundational partnership was instrumental in securing the initial federal Health Center Program grant funding that allowed the organization to begin its mission.
This collaborative spirit continues today, ensuring a strong referral network and coordinated care between the FQHC and the larger hospital systems for patients with complex medical needs.
Fact 6: Focus on Specific Public Health Initiatives
Beyond general primary care, the SCHC plays an active role in targeted public health initiatives. Two prominent examples include the Child Health Program and comprehensive HIV testing, care, and treatment services.
By providing specialized care and testing for conditions like HIV, the center acts as a crucial safety net and a key partner to local public health departments, working to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the Siouxland community.
Fact 7: The Role of the Siouxland Community Health Foundation
To supplement the federal grants and patient revenue, the Siouxland Community Health Foundation was established. This private fundraising arm is dedicated to assisting the SCHC in achieving its mission and expanding its goals. Monies raised privately through the foundation are used in conjunction with federal funding to ensure the continuous provision and expansion of high-quality services, demonstrating strong community support for the center's work.
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