News Release

GOSHEN — Maple City Health Care Center has been growing to help fill the health care gaps in the community, seeing more than 50% more patients than this time last year.

Maple City is on track to care for nearly 10,000 patients this year. The center has also received national and state recognition for the quality of its care for the fifth year in a row. It was awarded the 2024 Health Center Quality Leader Gold badge from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. The award, the highest distinction given by the Health Resources and Services Administration, recognizes Maple City for being in the top 10% nationally for quality of care. It is one of only five clinics in the state to earn the award.

Maple City is also expanding its services, launching Elkhart County’s first Spanish-language intensive outpatient addictions treatment group with support from the Elkhart County Health Department and the PHP Foundation.

“The Elkhart County Health Department extends our deepest gratitude and immense pride in the work Maple City Health Care Center is doing to launch bilingual addictions and mental health program,” said Andrew Bylsma, health administrator. “This initiative not only fills a critical gap in services but also reflects a profound commitment to addressing the diverse needs of our community. Your dedication to improving access to care for all our residents is an inspiring step toward a healthier and stronger Elkhart County.”

The group is led by Maple City behavioral health therapists Jona Vitela and Magdalena Hernandez, who specialize in mental health and addictions. Participants attend weekly group sessions and one-on-one therapy.

The news release from Maple City Health Care Center went on to provide this account:

“One local mom, Kristina (name changed for privacy), has seen her life changed in the three months she has been part of the program. Kristina was born in South Bend and raised in Elkhart. She is a 28-year-old mother of two small children, ages 2 and 3. She took her first drink of alcohol at 16, but by the age of 22, she was having at least one drink a day. While she managed to stop drinking during her pregnancies, she found it hard to quit. She realized she had a problem, and her efforts to quit drinking were complicated by life struggles, the stresses of DCS involvement, untreated anxiety and a lack of family support.

“A friend, seeing her struggles, suggested Kristina call Maple City and consider its new addictions group. Kristina knew she needed to make a change, so she made the call.

“Kristina was scared as she began opening up in the groups. ‘I was on the verge of tears at every meeting in the beginning.’ She started attending three times a week and started one-on-one sessions, learning methods of coping, triggers and people and places to avoid. She was also offered services with the health insurance navigators who worked on getting her qualified for Medicaid and SNAP for her and her children. She also started seeing a primary care provider at Maple City Health Care Center to begin getting her medical, sleep and anxiety issues under control.

“Kristina feels happy with the care she received because it was the first time that she felt heard and genuinely cared for in a health system. Kristina started feeling like the medication was helping her along with the therapy and group sessions, helping her get clean.

“Kristina reports feeling very blessed to have found this intensive addiction group. ‘Everyone in group is there ultimately for the same overarching struggles, but each has their own personal ones to deal with.’ She stated that no one feels judged, and everyone is at different points in their sobriety. ‘You may not be aware that you need the help but taking that first step can help you realize it is beneficial.’ One of her group mates, Vicente (52 years old), who has been attending the group for six months, shared the same sentiment. ‘The group feels like family and if you are going through similar struggles or worse you can come and ask for help here and you will not regret it.'”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse and could benefit from Maple City’s intensive outpatient addictions program, call (574) 534-3300.