Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Community Health Partner in Ellington, MO
Founded in 1975, Missouri Highlands Health Care has dedicated nearly five decades to delivering accessible, high-quality healthcare to underserved communities across Southeast Missouri. As a federally qualified, community-owned health center, we operate under a patient-centered medical home model that integrates primary care, behavioral health, and preventive services with a focus on rural populations. Our board, composed of at least 51% patient-consumers, ensures our services remain tailored to local needs while maintaining strict adherence to federal health standards and public service accountability.With a multidisciplinary team of medical providers, dental professionals, community health workers, and behavioral specialists, we address both clinical and social determinants of health through programs like medication assistance, mobile dental units, and school-based clinics. Our commitment to excellence has been recognized through 50 years of continuous service and partnerships with state and federal health initiatives, making us a trusted healthcare leader in seven Missouri counties.
Services
Primary Care
Dental Services
OB/GYN Services
Pediatric Care
Preventative Care
Behavioral Health
Nutritional Services
Community Health Workers
Discount Programs
Mobile Dental Unit
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- 50 years serving Southeast Missouri communities with culturally competent care
- Sliding fee scale based on income for uninsured/underinsured patients
- Community board with 51% patient-consumer representation
- Integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services under one model
- Recognized as patient-centered medical home with federal public health status
Associations and certifications
- Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b
- FTCA deemed facility
Services
Primary Care
Our primary care services treat acute and chronic conditions ranging from common illnesses to complex health issues. Patients receive comprehensive care including preventive screenings, vaccinations, and chronic disease management through a patient-centered medical home model that coordinates care across specialties. This approach ensures continuity and personalized treatment plans developed by primary care providers working with nurse care managers and behavioral health consultants.
Dental Services
We provide full-spectrum dental care for patients aged six months and older, including preventive cleanings, restorative treatments, and emergency dental services. Our dentists perform fillings, extractions, root canals, and prosthetic solutions while emphasizing preventive education. The dental team works closely with medical providers to address systemic health issues that may manifest orally, ensuring comprehensive patient wellness through integrated care coordination.
Behavioral Health
Integrated behavioral health services address mental, emotional, and substance use disorders through individual and family counseling. Our specialists collaborate with primary care providers to treat co-occurring medical conditions, offering medication management and telehealth consultations with specialists. This holistic approach includes substance abuse counseling and mental health support that considers social determinants of health affecting rural populations.
Community Health Workers
Certified community health workers help patients navigate healthcare systems, schedule specialist appointments, and access community resources. They conduct home visits, provide health education, and assist with Medicaid applications while focusing on social determinants of health. These workers serve as cultural liaisons between patients and providers, particularly benefiting underserved populations through programs like foster care support and medication assistance coordination.
Sliding Fee Discount Program
Our sliding fee scale reduces healthcare costs based on household income and size, ensuring care accessibility for uninsured or underinsured patients. The program covers essential services and requires income verification through tax documents. This financial assistance model aligns with our mission to eliminate cost barriers while maintaining quality care standards, with eligibility determined through confidential patient applications.
People
Karen White
Chief Executive Officer
Karen White leads Missouri Highlands Health Care's strategic operations with over 25 years of healthcare administration experience. She oversees clinical quality, financial sustainability, and community engagement while maintaining federal compliance standards for this federally qualified health center serving seven Missouri counties.
Josh Gast
Medical Director
Dr. Josh Gast, a board-certified physician, directs clinical operations and quality assurance across all Missouri Highlands locations. With extensive rural healthcare experience, he ensures evidence-based practices in primary care delivery and supervises provider training programs that maintain the organization's patient-centered medical home accreditation.
Kristen Alexander-Frey
Dental Director
As Dental Director, Dr. Kristen Alexander-Frey oversees oral health services and provider training. She implements preventive dental programs for children and adults while managing the mobile dental unit initiative that expands access to remote areas, ensuring alignment with state dental health regulations and community needs.
Loretta Baker-Montgomery
Behavioral Health Director
Loretta Baker-Montgomery, a licensed clinical social worker, manages integrated behavioral health services. She develops mental health programs addressing rural population challenges and coordinates telehealth counseling services that connect patients with specialists across Missouri's underserved regions.
Adam McGraw
Chief Operating Officer
Adam McGraw oversees day-to-day operations and organizational efficiency at Missouri Highlands Health Care. With healthcare management expertise, he implements operational strategies that balance growth with community needs while maintaining the health center's financial stability and service accessibility.
Questions
What insurance plans do you accept?
We accept Medicaid, Medicare, most private insurance plans, and offer a sliding fee scale for uninsured patients based on income verification.
Are your providers board-certified?
Yes, all our medical and dental providers maintain current board certifications and participate in ongoing professional development programs.
Do you offer telehealth services?
We provide telehealth consultations for behavioral health and specialty care through our network of remote healthcare partners.
How can I apply for financial assistance?
Complete our sliding fee application with income documentation at your first visit or contact our billing department for pre-application guidance.
What dental services are available for children?
We offer pediatric dental exams, cleanings, sealants, and emergency care for children starting at age six months through our general and mobile dental clinics.
Are there programs for pregnant women?
Our OB/GYN services include prenatal care, postpartum support, and access to the Show Me Healthy Women program for eligible patients.
