Community Health Center of Fort Dodge to Offer Extended Hours Starting March 10 

Fort Dodge, IA – Community Health Center of Fort Dodge is pleased to announce expanded hours starting Monday, March 10, to better serve the healthcare needs of the community. The health center will be open Monday through Friday, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM starting March 10, providing greater flexibility for urgent care, primary medical care, and behavioral health appointments. 

Jessica Doolittle, ARNP has recently joined the staff at Community Health Center and will be seeing patients for primary medical care during the new extended hours.

The extended hours will benefit patients who face challenges with transportation, childcare, and work schedules during traditional business hours. By offering early morning and evening options, Community Health Center aims to make it easier for those who lack sick leave or have difficult work hours to access the care they need. 

This initiative has been made possible through a $500,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The grant, announced in December 2024, supports the health center’s goal of improving access to care for over 12,000 individuals annually. The funding has allowed the center to hire additional clinical and administrative staff to accommodate these new hours. 

“At Community Health Center, we are committed to meeting the needs of our patients, many of whom work in local factories and face challenges accessing healthcare during traditional office hours. By offering expanded hours, we provide more flexibility so our patients can receive the care they need without missing work or relying on emergency services for non-emergent issues,” said Renae Kruckenberg, CEO of Community Health Center of Fort Dodge. 

Colleen Miller, Chief Operating Officer, added, “Having the option to schedule healthcare before or after work helps our community while also offering timely care for urgent situations. It also relieves some of the stress on families trying to manage their schedules and healthcare needs.” 

The new hours will include primary care services, urgent walk-in care, pediatric and adult wellness exams, as well as mental health services such as medication management and therapy. 

New patients are being accepted, and early morning and evening appointments can be scheduled by calling 515-576-6500. Current patients can also use MyChart to schedule appointments.