CFMC Expands, Opens New Primary Care Practice in Eden, NC

Since 1978, Caswell Family Medical Center, Inc. (CFMC) has provided a wide range of health care services to Caswell County, NC, and surrounding communities. CFMC has recognized the need for increased access to primary care for Rockingham County for many years. On December 2, 2019, community leaders, business partners, and others including members of Dr. James Austin’s family, joined outside the doors of 207 East Meadow Road, Eden, to celebrate a ribbon-cutting for CFMC’s new facility: James Austin Health Center (JAHC).

Later that same day, the staff of JAHC saw the site’s first patient.

The site, named in memory of Dr. James Austin, a beloved physician that spent his career providing medical care to the people of Eden, is a satellite location for CFMC. Supported in part by a federal grant, the site will accept all forms of private and commercial insurances (Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, BlueCross BlueSheild, Aetna, etc.). While services at JAHC are not free, sliding fee scales based on household income are available to help reduce the out-of-pocket costs of care for both the insured and uninsured.

“Having a site like JAHC means so much”, says William Crumpton, CEO, CFMC. “Among other things, it provides increased access to primary care, increased opportunities for economic development, opportunities to through partnership increase the collective impact of human service programs, and last but not least, opportunities to stimulate physician recruitment efforts throughout the region.”

JAHC will immediately begin working on becoming a recognized “Patient-Centered Medical Home”. This means that patients will have the opportunity to choose a primary care provider (PCP) that they will consistently see for all wellness and chronic disease management needs. ‘Same Day’ appointments will be available to help established patients with acute care needs, like colds and flu. JAHC will provide care to patients of all ages, including children. For established primary care patients, JAHC has implemented an integrated behavioral health program whereby Teneka Striblin, LCSW-A is available to provide solution-focused behavioral health interventions and serve as a conduit to other mental health services as needed.

Currently, JAHC has two medical providers on staff: Jason Vaughn, FNP, and Beth Dekonic, FNP. Both are accepting new patients.

CFMC plans to expand the medical staff at JAHC in early 2020 to include a full-time physician.

“The North Carolina Community Health Center Association (NCCHCA) is excited that Caswell Family Medical Center’s excellent, innovative, and cost-effective primary care services will be offered through the James Austin Health Center in Eden. This will be the only Federally Qualified Health Center in Rockingham County, where 16% of residents are without health insurance”, says Chris Shanks, Interim CEO, NCCHCA.

“Partnership is what has made all this possible,” says Crumpton. “With support of both UNC Rockingham and Annie Penn Hospital, CFMC is working to position JAHC to make a tremendous impact in a sustainable way.”

To learn more, visit https://compassionhealthcare.org/james-austin-health-center/