As we start 2025, we find ourselves reflecting on the truly remarkable year 2024 was at Promise Community Health Center. It was a year of growth, innovation, and dedication to our mission: providing accessible, holistic healthcare to improve the well-being of all persons. From new services and expanded facilities to national recognition and community milestones, this year’s accomplishments highlight the power of collaboration and the strength of our shared commitment to care.
OUR SERVICES
Guided by the voices and needs of our community, we took steps to expand our service offerings this year. We believe healthcare should be as dynamic and adaptive as the people it serves, and 2024 was a year of meaningful progress in meeting those needs.
One of the standout additions was Functional Medicine, led by Kari Ney. This innovative approach focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of health concerns, offering patients a personalized path to lasting well-being.
By integrating this holistic perspective into our care model, we’ve opened doors for patients to better understand and address the complexities of their health.
For our patients three and up, we introduced Play Therapy, a service designed to give children a safe and nurturing space to express emotions and navigate life’s challenges. Through creative and therapeutic play, children can process their experiences in ways that feel natural to them, helping to improve mental health in a way that words sometimes cannot.
We also expanded our School-Based Therapy program, recognizing that mental health care is crucial to the overall success and well-being of students. By bringing therapy directly into schools, we’ve removed barriers like transportation challenges and time away from classes, ensuring students have easy access to the care they need in a familiar and supportive environment
Beyond these new programs, members of our team also completed advanced training to bring additional care options to Promise. Patients now have access to new procedures and treatments, including biopsies, joint injections, and specialized care for thyroid concerns and conditions like PCOS. These expanded services mean more comprehensive, in-house care for our patients, reducing the need for referrals and ensuring timely, seamless treatment.
OUR TEAM
Behind every department at Promise, there is a dedicated team of passionate individuals who embody our mission to provide accessible, holistic care to the community. This year, we were thrilled to welcome over ten new staff members, each bringing unique skills and perspectives that enriched our team. Among our newest members were two dentists, two mental health therapists, and a medical provider. They are all key additions that enhanced our ability to meet the growing needs of our patients. These new hires brought fresh energy and ideas, complementing the expertise of our existing team and further strengthening the care we provide.
In 2024, our team grew to an all-time high of 80 employees, reflecting both our organizational growth and our commitment to being a great place to work. The professional development of our team members remains a priority, and we proudly celebrated five staff members who advanced into new roles within Promise this year. These transitions underscore the culture of growth, opportunity, and support that defines our workplace. Our workplace culture earned us the distinction of being named a 2024 Top Workplace. This recognition is more than an award; it is a testament to the dedication, collaboration, and mutual respect that drives our team every day.
Our leadership also shone brightly this year, earning awards for their transformative contributions to healthcare. CEO Emily Tuschen, alongside Sioux Center Health CEO Cory Nelson, was honored with the Spirit of Community Award by the Sioux Center Chamber. This award celebrates their partnership in creating innovative solutions and improving healthcare access for the community. Additionally, our very own Kari Ney received the 2024 Outstanding Provider Award from the Iowa PCA for her exceptional service to women’s health. Her recognition highlights the impact of her work not just at Promise but how she has impacted the lives of countless patients and providers over the years.
OUR PATIENT CARE
Our commitment to quality care was recognized on a national scale when Promise earned HRSA’s Gold Health Center Quality Leader Badge, placing us in the top 10% of health centers nationwide. This award underscores our dedication to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. Additional honors, including the BP Gold+ Award and the Million Hearts Hypertension Control Award, highlighted our success in addressing critical health concerns like high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
This year also marked the completion of a 10,000-square-foot expansion, a project that created space for additional mental health and vision services, new team members, and community events. The new facilities are a testament to our commitment to serving our growing patient base, which includes individuals from 160 zip codes. In 2024 alone, we provided care to 6,350 patients through over 20,000 visits. Among these, 2,908 were children, 371 were prenatal patients, and 53 babies were welcomed into the world through our home birth program.
Our work extended beyond the walls of our health center. Programs like Conexión Poderosa have strengthened community connections, while initiatives like our transportation service provided more than 250 rides and we were able to have 608 visits with patients through Telehealth to ensure that care is always accessible. These efforts reflect our belief that healthcare is a partnership, and every patient deserves to feel valued, supported, and cared for.