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Phoenix Primary Care to open July 1

News-Journal - 6/24/2020

Sandra Shank has come a long way since her heart was first touched by youth in foster care while working as an educator and administrator in the Miami-Dade area, but her passion for helping the underprivileged community and at-risk children has not faded.

She started the Abundant Life Ministries–Hope House Inc. 17 years ago, and now Shank has expanded the organization's outreach through Phoenix Community Services with a two-pronged approach, addressing mental health and substance abuse, and primary care.

Connecting with the community has put the right people in her path. Angel Torres, clinical director for Mental Health, holds a master's certification in both social work and addiction services. He came on board in 2019 to begin offering mental health and addiction counseling under the Phoenix Community Services arm of the Abundant Life Ministries–Hope House Inc.

"I do intensive outpatient substance abuse (treatment) plus I'm also in the midst of creating the recovery community organization here for Flagler as well as helping the center," Torres said. "We're building up a community organization focused on peer recovery and then helping guide people who are having substance abuse issues connect with the resources."

With the expansion has also come a physical wellness component, and in March, working with board-certified nurse practitioners Adrienne Dolinky and Orjanette Bryant, Shank began the process of creating the Phoenix Primary Care clinic, set to open its doors on July 1.

The ultimate goal is to offer a continuum of care to the underinsured and uninsured residents of Flagler County, and Shank says Phoenix Community Services was approved by Medicaid within two weeks of applying. The team is currently working with HMOs for credentialing to accept an array of insurance providers ahead of their grand opening.

Donors have stepped up to help make the expansion a success, and needed furniture and medical supplies have come from organizations like the Putnam County Health Department and AdventHealth Palm Coast, along with guidance from colleagues.

"We have an overflow blessing right now," said Shank, who hopes one day to fill the entire business complex where the center is located, at 26B Office Park Drive in Palm Coast, as an administrative hub, connecting additional resources like career training and housing needs.

"If we could get this for an entire complex we could offer full services under one umbrella. We would have the space for it all," she said.

Phoenix Primary Care is currently booking appointments for their opening on July 1, by calling 386-597-2861. For more information, visit almhhi.org.

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