health center

SIOUX CENTER – Stephanie Aguilar’s interest in health care was kindled by the biology aspect of how the body works and breaks down. But her interest spread during college from a focus on the medical aspect to an understanding of how social problems can be the root cause of many illnesses. Stephanie Aguilar has assumed her position as a family planning coordinator and outreach specialist for Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center. She enjoys exploring the social aspects of health care to better care for patients who come into the health center. “It was much more interesting understanding where a person comes from – from their family and their culture – and studying the factors that lead to poverty, which is the No. 1 cause of health problems everywhere,” she said. “I just felt that I gained a lot more by understanding where this person comes from and then being able to treat them as a whole and not just focus on their illness. Stepping out and seeing the whole picture of why th...

SIOUX CENTER – Not all crime victims will give Family Crisis Centers a call or walk up to its doors to receive the help that they need. So the Sioux Center-based agency is taking its victim advocate services to where people from vulnerable populations may already feel comfortable going for care. Family Crisis Centers and Promise Community Health Center personnel discuss logistical details about their new partnership. FCC will place a victim advocate at Promise, starting Aug. 1, in an effort to expand its reach to vulnerable people in northwest Iowa. Pictured are (from left) FCC executive director Shari Kastein, Promise executive director  Nancy Dykstra, Promise chief financial officer Amy Kleinhesselink, FCC project director Alison Hofmeyer and FCC victim advocate Kelsey.  Family Crisis Centers and Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center have forged a partnership to place a full-time victim advocate in the health center – which has succe...