Mahoning Co. health agencies seek medical integration plan

YOUNGSTOWN — More efficient and potentially better health care for adults and children are at the heart of a plan to integrate current, stand-alone physical and mental health care

facilities in Mahoning County.

One Health Ohio, headquartered at the Youngstown Community Health Clinic on Wick Avenue, and Turning Point Counseling Services and D&E Counseling Services, two core agencies funded by the Mahoning County Board of Health, say they are deep into making the integration a reality.

The concept of integrating medical and mental health in one facility is not new.

“We’ve had a satellite clinic in Valley Counseling in Trumbull County; we have a long-standing relationship with the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board, and Turning Point has a physician we placed at its facility,” noted Dr. Ronald Dwinnells, One Health Ohio chief executive officer.

“But the step we haven’t taken, and what is being planned, is to build a new one-stop medical

facility in close proximity to existing mental health facilities,” said Dr. Dwinnells, architect of the medical integration plan.

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator and Vindy.com