Bowen Health celebrates opening of new facility with ribbon cutting

Bowen Health cut the ribbon on Monday on a new facility in Plymouth that offers easy access to healthcare services.

Bowen Health - Plymouth is located at 2904 Miller Drive, at the intersection of Pioneer Drive and U.S. 30. The highly visible location provides expanded primary health care, mental health care, addiction recovery treatment, and life skills coaching services. The building also includes unfinished space which will house a specialty like dentistry or optometry in the near future. 

“This new facility represents more than just a building. It symbolizes hope, progress, and a brighter future for the Plymouth and Marshal County areas,” said Plymouth Mayor Robert Listenberger. “With state-of-the-art technology and a compassionate team of healthcare professionals, Bowen Health is poised to provide exceptional care to our community for many decades to come.”

Bowen Health President and CEO Dr. Rob Ryan said the completion of the new building is another milestone in Bowen Health’s long-term commitment to the health of Marshall County residents.

In the previous week, several events offered patients, community members, and staff the opportunity to see the new building. But Bowen Health – Plymouth Director Lindie Leary said that Monday’s opening was even more special.

Eric Holsopple, Administrator from Saint Joseph Health Systems in Plymouth spoke and said, “I want to thank Dr. Ryan, the local team, Lindie, and others for creating primary care access in our community that is greatly.  Our local community health needs assessment data shows that there is a great need for both physical and mental health care access. Thank you for your commitment to serve those that are most vulnerable. We at St Joe look forward to partnering with Bowen for the betterment of our community for the generations to come.”

Bowen Health’s move to integrated care is aimed at addressing the unique healthcare challenges underserved populations face.

“The one-stop-shop approach in healthcare is unique, and we know it's made a difference in the lives of our patients,” said Bowen Health board member Carol Hochstetler. “Bowen Health will continue to innovate, evolve, and lead the way in integrated care so that anyone can get the healthcare services they need, regardless of their ability to pay.”

The Plymouth site is Bowen Health’s second new building to open this year. The first opening was in Columbia City in January. Work is also underway on Bowen Health – Warsaw, scheduled to open in 2025.

All these locations are situated on U.S. 30 in a deliberate effort to bring mental health care into view after years of clinics being located in out-of-the-way locations in an attempt to shield patients from stigma.

“Today, mental health comes into the forefront,” said Bowen Health CFO Jay Baumgartner. “This building represents a huge investment in Marshall County, our communities, and the patients that we serve. But what this building really represents is those patients that we haven't served yet.”

Previously operating from two separate buildings, the new 17,000-square-foot facility was designed with patients and staff in mind. Patients have shorter walks to get into the building or to their therapy office or exam room. Connected spaces make it easier for multidiscipline teams to work collaboratively. Built using state-of-the-art technology will make it cheaper to operate and kinder to staff and patients because of improved lighting, temperature control, ergonomic furniture, etc.

“It's not just a building, it's where lives will be changed,” said Bowen Health Facilities Director Rich Hoffman. “I love to build life-changing environments, and that's what this building really represents today.”

Bowen Health provides a healthcare safety net for people with limited resources to ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare.

“Health now includes that full continuum of care, and that's what we want to be assuring the residents of Marshall County that we can take care of all of your needs, regardless of your ability to pay, said Bowen Health COO Shannon Hannon. “Our commitment to this community continues, that we will be that solution, to partner with all of you in the community to meet those needs, to ensure residents are living their best lives longer.”

Ribbon Cutting, from left:

• Zac Cook, Bowen Health Assistant Director, Marshall County
• Carol Hochstetler, Bowen Health Board of Directors 
• Beth Pinkerton, Bowen Health Board of Directors
• Shirley Gidley, Bowen Health Board of Directors
• Rich Hoffman, Bowen Health Facilities Director 
• Dr. Rob Ryan, Bowen Health President/CEO 
• Lindie Leary, Bowen Health Director, Marshall County
• Shannon Hannon, Bowen Health COO
• Jay Baumgartner, Bowen Health CFO
• Jim Fleck, Bowen Health Board of Directors
• Erica Haag, Bowen Health Assistant Director, Marshall County