Five years of serving patients for Five Points Primary Care

The staff nurses of Five Points Primary Care have been beaming with joy this week as they celebrate their fifth year at the office at 200 Park Ave West, downtown Mansfield.

That's because they know the hundreds of patients who have visited their office over the years may have never found help elsewhere.

That was the goal when Third Street Family Health Services opened the clinic in 2016, according to Peggy Anderson, CEO of the organization.

'Meets people where they are'

"What I like about Five Points is that it meets people where they are," Anderson said. "We know we're going to see homeless and people with mental health disorders, and this team is dedicating to meeting those people where they are. I really like that."

In the last year, Anderson said, Five Points has completed 8,665 appointments. They've administered 563 initial COVID-19 vaccines and given 231 COVID boosters.

Third Street is a a private, nonprofit that provides medical, dental, OB/GYN, pediatric and behavioral health services through its 11 locations across North Central Ohio.

HANGING UP THE SHEARS:Shelby barber John Kleman retires after incredible 63-year run

The organization's mission is to deliver comprehensive health and wellness care, accessible to all. It formed in 1994 and now has a staff of more than 200.

The clinic in downtown Mansfield offers the same primary care services as the organization's other offices in a location staff members say is very accessible for their patients.

The nurses at Five Points have become well acquainted with their patients over the last half decade, and are happy to be downtown for them.

SALUTING VETERANS:Mansfield Veterans Day Parade set for Nov. 11

"There's a bus stop here locally," said Courtney Brooks, a certified nurse practitioner with 14 years experience. "If the patients are in need, we're close for them."

The staff keep a few late hours every week for patients who cannot make appointments during the daytime hours.

"I think access to care is great here," Brooks said.

'We see lots of success'

Building rapport with clients over the years has helped the team at Five Points develop successful treatment plans, according to Jennifer Schroeder, a certified nurse practitioner who has 28 experience.

"I think it helps to build trust with them," Schroeder said. "We see lots of success rates with that."

COVID BOOSTERS:Richland Public Health offering booster shots of Moderna COVID vaccine

While the nurses are happy to help patients who have needs of all types, the ones who come in battling addiction have a special place in their hearts. There's nothing more rewarding to them than hearing those patients' success stories as they progress through treatment.

"Now they've got a productive life," Schroeder said. "Now they're employed and they have a purpose in life. We see lots of that."

'We don't turn anyone away'

The organization will accept patients of all ages, according to Emily Bowman, a certified family nurse practitioner who has been a nurse 16 years.

SLEEP CHANGE COMING:Daylight Saving Time: How to handle your sleep when it ends Sunday

"We don't turn anyone away," Bowman said. "We take all insurance and people who can't pay. That's huge."

The office is still accepting new patients, and can take walk-ins before 3 p.m.

To learn more, visit www.thirdstreetfamily.org or call Five Points Primary Care at 419-522-2239.

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-564-3508

Twitter: @zachtuggle