The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) was founded in 1997, originating as a community outreach of Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center in Pittsburg, Kansas. It initially opened on the second floor of a 90-year-old elementary school building with the primary mission to ensure children were ready to learn by providing physicals and immunizations regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. This reflects a deep-rooted commitment to serving the most vulnerable populations, consistent with the legacy of Mother Mary Bernard Sheridan, who established healthcare provision for the poor in the region in 1903.
Over the years, CHC/SEK expanded its services beyond children to include parents and grandparents, evolving into a comprehensive healthcare provider for all ages. The center grew from a small clinic to include integrated medical, dental, and mental health services, supported by the construction of dedicated facilities such as a 5,000 sq. ft. dental clinic opened in 2005 and a 15,000 sq. ft. clinic in 2007. An in-house pharmacy was also added in 2007 to enhance patient care convenience.
Further expansion included satellite clinics in nearby counties and school-based health center programs initiated in 2012, utilizing a mobile clinic to reach more children. CHC/SEK has continuously worked to increase access to care through strategic initiatives such as Dental Hub II and has built a robust support system with a team of approximately 260 professionals. The organization’s mission and operations emphasize compassionate, accessible, and affordable healthcare services for the community it serves.
With its roots in a mission of love and dedication to community welfare, CHC/SEK remains a trusted provider of healthcare services in southeast Kansas, carrying forward the message of doing good for all people in diverse ways and for as long as possible. The center’s comprehensive care model and community outreach programs underscore its role as a cornerstone for health and well-being in the region.