By Alexander Germanis
Humanity is tremendously diverse in nearly every aspect. Appearance, height, environment, socioeconomic status, preferences, and the list goes on. But for all our differences, there are still a few things which we all hold in common.
One commonality is the need for health services. Even the healthiest among us have still benefitted from the aid of a doctor, even if the last time that happened was at one’s birth.
But for many, access to quality healthcare is severely limited, largely due to an inability to afford high costs associated with medical care, prescription medications, and insurance plans. For those individuals, the Community Health Care Clinic was started in 1994 and has been an essential part of the Bloomington-Normal community ever since.
A Movement to Make a Difference
Just as necessity is the mother of invention, she is also the mother of mobilization. In 1994, the Community Health Care Clinic (CHCC) was founded out of a clearly recognized necessity. As described by Executive Director Holly Hall: “Community leaders and medical professionals from OSF and Carle BroMenn identified the need for a medical home for McLean County’s uninsured and underinsured residents. This was noticed as these individuals landed in local ERs due to untreated chronic conditions. By providing a medical home for these individuals through the CHCC, we’ve significantly reduced that number.”
A free clinic for the medically underserved of McLean County, the CHCC fulfills its mission by providing comprehensive primary care, dental, and behavioral health (through a partnership with Center for Youth and Family Solutions) counseling services to qualified patients. The clinic also includes an on-site dispensary for prescription medications.
“The CHCC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization,” Holly says, “and we could not do the important work we do without support from individual and business donors. CHCC is funded by grants and donations from individuals, corporations, businesses, community organizations, and churches.” While the funds might be necessary to stay open, the CHCC keeps running through the dedication, determination, and hard work of its staff of medical professionals and volunteers.
A Growing Need
Although the Community Health Care Clinic was formed due to necessity, its need has never diminished. In fact, according to Holly, that need is on the rise. “The number of patients being treated at CHCC is growing in part due to many losing access to Medicaid. And individuals face other challenges in being able to afford healthcare,” she says.
Other challenges include working for a company that doesn’t offer health insurance or having insurance but not being able to afford to actually use it. Some “affordable” insurance plans offer very low premiums but deductibles and co-pays so high one cannot feasibly put the insurance into effect.
“We have adjusted our patient qualifying criteria to ensure we are able to accept those most in need,” Holly assures. “Again, this need can only be met with the support of our donors and volunteers who help us fulfill our mission. We are thankful for all those whose contributions make services here possible.”
To qualify for help at the CHCC, a patient must be a resident of McLean County, have a total household income at or below 250 percent of federal poverty guidelines, and are not eligible for or enrolled in an active insurance plan. Consideration may be given, however, to the aforementioned individuals who have insurance but cannot afford to use it.
Besides reducing the influx at local ERs, the CHCC helps in other ways. “It reduces associated costs to the hospitals and improves the overall health of the local community,” Holly points out. “CHCC patients experience improved health outcomes, allowing them to live healthier lives, work to provide for their families, and contribute to the local community. With the CHCC, everybody wins.”
A Lifelong Commitment
Self-described as “semi-local,” Holly and her family moved to Normal when she was still a teenager. Since then, she has been deeply connected to the community. Graduating from Normal Community High School and then Illinois State University, Holly later married a full-blooded local named Dustin Hall. Dustin serves as Director of Facilities at Heartland Community College. Together, they are both heavily committed and invested in the Bloomington-Normal community.
One commitment is to take care of others, particularly those in need. Such a dedication, as it turns out, is a family trait. “Doing meaningful work has always been important to me,” Holly relates. “For most of my mom’s career, she taught preschool and early education for at-risk students. She worked with low-income families, families that faced socioeconomic challenges, or families whose primary household language was not English. Seeing her dedication and knowing the difference she made inspired me.”
Although Holly recently lost her mother in 2024, it was through taking care of her that led Holly to look for similar work opportunities – opportunities where she could continue her mother’s legacy of doing meaningful work. She found that opportunity at the CHCC.
“Here I am able to use my experience in healthcare administration and not-for-profit leadership to make a difference in the lives of others,” she declares. “Here I can work in a capacity to serve individuals who are truly in need. This work is meaningful. Our patients’ lives are changed for the better because of the services we provide. To be able to be a part of that has been incredible and to serve in a role that positively impacts the local community is an honor.”
To Continue a Healthcare Legacy
One of the biggest growing problems in health care is a reduced emphasis on the second part of the term: care. Besides its mission of providing health services to the underserved, what truly sets the CHCC apart is its devotion to doing so with compassion and with an individualized approach to its patients.
“Treating patients who have had limited access to healthcare comes with unique challenges,” Holly admits. “The team at the CHCC is focused and determined to treat our patients in a way that will ensure the best possible outcome for each individual. Because the work we do truly makes a difference in the lives of our patients and their families, the challenge is worth it.”
Despite the hard work of the dedicated staff, the services provided by the CHCC would be short-lived without the tireless efforts of its volunteers. “The CHCC values our team of volunteers who allow us to efficiently serve more patients and improve the quality of care we deliver,” Holly says. “We are always looking for licensed medical professionals and translators (fluent native Spanish) to help.” If you are interested in volunteering, apply at www.chcchealth.org/get-involved.
For the past 30 years, volunteers and staff members like Holly have dedicated themselves to uniting the community of McLean County through providing one more commonality to the individuals who reside in it: access to quality healthcare.
“I look forward to continuing the Community Health Care Clinic’s story and to seeing how this organization will continue to impact the many individuals in our local community,” Holly concludes. “We hope by sharing our story, we’ll be able to increase awareness of our mission and the ongoing need to provide healthcare to the medically underserved.”
The Community Health Care Clinic is located at 900 Franklin Avenue in Normal, Illinois. We are open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am–5:00pm (closed for lunch from 12:30–1:30pm). If you’d like to find out more, please visit us on the web at www.chcchealth.org. Or, you can follow us on socials.
