Rossok, Hastings contribute to Johnson Nichols Health Clinic

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN Displaying one of two new laptops donated by Hastings Mutual Charitable Foundation, Johnson Nichols Health Clinic director Ruth Ralph (left) also accepts a $1,000 donation from Sandi Rossok of Rossok & Company Insurance. Johnson Nichols applied for the grant through the Hastings Mutual Charitable Foundation, with Rossok & Company as a sponsor.

For Johnson Nichols Health Clinic, the addition of a new electronic medical records system wasn't doing much good without the computers to support it.

Rather than give up on the system, however, the Greencastle not-for-profit clinic found some assistance to get the needed devices.

On Wednesday, May 1, the clinic received a grant of two new laptop computers from Hastings Mutual Insurance Company Charitable Foundation. The grant was written by Johnson Nichols and sponsored by Rossok & Company Insurance Agency LLC, which made a matching contribution of $1,000.

Johnson Nichols executive director Ruth Ralph said the computers were essential for the clinic's nurses to keep up with their workload.

"Otherwise, we had the two computers that are set up in the back and the little one that the nurse practitioner moves around," Ralph said.

The new units make it possible for a nurse to always have a computer in the exam room, updating records on the spot.

The grant from Rossok & Company will assist the clinic with other planned projects.

Agency owner Sandi Rossok was on hand Wednesday to see the new computers at work. Ralph and the nurses could not seem to thank Rossok enough for the new addition.

Located at 141 Martinsville St., Greencastle, Johnson Nichols Health Clinic provides a variety of services including immunizations for childhood illness, physical examinations, diagnosis and treatment of minor illness, family planning, pregnancy testing, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, education on preventing prenatal substance abuse, nutritional education and provision of nutritious foods through the WIC program and screening for lead poisoning.

Its staff includes family nurse practitioners, nurses and nutritionists. The cost of care varies by program. A sliding fee scale is available, based on family size and household income.

The clinic can be reached at 800-410-9004 or 653-6171.

Hastings Mutual Insurance Company Charitable Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization. The foundation has a broad charitable mandate of assisting organizations, families and individuals. Its core mission is to assist in providing essential needs of living to at-risk youth and financially challenged or catastrophe stricken families.

Rossok & Company is a small insurance agency on the corner of Columbia and Vine streets in Greencastle. The agency can be reached at 653-5508.