Mercy Linn County Medical Clinic hosting open house October 12

PLEASANTON -- The opening of the newest medical clinic in Linn County will become official next month.

The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house event for the new Mercy Medical Clinic of Linn County, formerly the Pleasanton Family Practice, starting at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the new facility, 11155 Tucker Road. An open house with free on-site health screenings and refreshments will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The open house is scheduled to conclude about 5:30 p.m. The facility can be easily accessed off U.S. Highway 69 at the 1100 Road exit.

On Monday, Sept. 14, nearly five months to the date from the facility's groundbreaking ceremony, healthcare providers at the clinic began seeing new patients.

"Our patients love the new facility," Office Supervisor Nancy Shadden said. "The covered drive is so nice for the patients during inclement weather; it makes getting into our facility so easy. The doorways are wider to allow wheelchairs easy access."

"Everything about the new clinic is calming, welcoming and more spacious," she added. "We enjoy it here and we hope our patients do as well."

Since 1995, the healthcare providers and staff of the Pleasanton Family Practice were located at a facility at the corner of 9th and Main streets. Over the years, this group of Mercy coworkers have established an excellent reputation of healthcare in the area and built trustworthy relationships with their patients, according to a statement from the clinic.

In addition to the same services that were offered at the old facility, patients at the new clinic will benefit from new X-ray equipment.

"By having radiology services at our new facility, our patients will no longer have to travel 30 minutes," Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Rhonda Kellstadt said. "The X-ray can be taken here and reviewed through digital images by Mercy Health Center radiology department for final interpretation."

During the open house event, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new facility and participate in free bone density heel scans, blood pressure checks, and evaluations of their Body Mass Index. Additional information will be available about monthly cardiology services offered at the clinic, as well as rehabilitation services offered at Mercy Health for Life in Fort Scott, the statement from the clinic said.

"When you see the new building, most people will see the craftsmanship that was put into building the clinic," Jay Allen, a physician at the clinic, said. "As a medical provider, however, I notice the things that will really help patients."

"Alot of planning has gone into the layout to logistics, from parking to exam rooms and back out again," Allen added. "Come visit us; see if you notice. If not, we will be happy to show you. I want to thank everyone for their hard work."

The project to create the new facility and expand medical services in the area is made possible through the collaboration of several different entities. The new clinic is the culmination of months of work by the City of Pleasanton, Linn County, local residents Joe and Linda Pointer, Mercy Health System of Kansas, and Crossland Construction, officials said.

"Joe and Linda Pointer were instrumental in making the new clinic possible through the donation of the parcel of land," Mercy Health System of Kansas President and CEO John Woodrich said. "With the collaboration of the officials from the county, the city, and the great people of Pleasanton, we are now able to offer expanded healthcare service to the residents of Linn County."

For more information about the upcoming ribbon cutting and open house, contact Mercy Medical Clinic of Linn County at (913) 352-8379, or (877) 336-3729.