The Atchison County Health Department held a ribbon cutting and open house Thursday, June 26, at the new health center in Tarkio. Pictured with the ribbon are health department employees Andrea Cook, RN, Administrator Julie Livengood, Stephanie Athen, LPN, and Office Manager Tammy Sly. Located at 521 Main Street, the new facility offers a larger space and modern set up in which to provide health services to those in need in Atchison County. Each staff member now has their own office and the center boasts an increase in exam/clinic rooms from one to five (including two larger/safer immunization rooms and a potential dental area). There is a dedicated WIC room, a huge conference room with smart capabilities and a kitchen for cooking classes, a break room and respite area for staff, multiple restrooms (one of which is equipped with a shower and another with privacy access for samples), and room for storage. There is also potential for mental health offices. There is also a drive through for COVID testing as well as a room for COVID and flu testing and lab draws near the facility’s east door. A generator runs the entire building, providing potential use for a cooling and warming center if needed. Winners of the prize drawings were Andrew Riley, Glenn Scott, Julie Jones, Kenny McAdams, Rhonda Herrick, and Cathy Lesher.

Thirty people attended the open house at the Atchison County Health Department’s new health center at 521 Main Street in Tarkio, including Glenn and Jayne Scott and Ann Schlueter, pictured speaking with Administrator Julie Livengood.

Tours of the building were given during the open house. Pictured is Andrea Cook with the health center showing the nurses’ station to Kay Bulger, Mike Christensen, and Rhonda Herrick.