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Construction has started on Racine’s $68 million Lincoln-King Community and Health Care Center, a partnership between Pillar Health and the Racine Public Health Department aimed at making healthcare accessible to the community. The center will offer a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) designation, providing medical, dental, and mental health services on a sliding fee scale. Racine’s first FQHC, operated by Pillar Health, is expected to serve over 24,000 residents facing transportation and healthcare access challenges, while the Racine Public Health Department will manage preventive health programs. The full facility is set to open by December 2026.
RACINE, Wis. — As construction begins on the Lincoln-King Community and Health Care Center, Racine’s Public Health Administrator Dottie-Kay Bowersox underscored the center’s importance in bridging significant healthcare gaps for thousands of residents.
The center, which will house Racine’s first Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operated by Pillar Health, will address long-standing healthcare disparities in the underserved Lincoln-King neighborhood.
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Alongside individualized medical care, the Racine Public Health Department will manage preventive and community health initiatives within the facility, creating an integrated healthcare hub expected to open fully in December 2026.
The Lincoln-King Community and Health Care Center is designed to provide affordable healthcare, especially for the more than 24,000 Racine residents who, based on income and insurance needs, qualify for FQHC services.
“This facility is a tremendous asset, giving residents the healthcare they need close to home,” Bowersox explained, emphasizing that transportation and access challenges often prevent many families in the Lincoln-King neighborhood from receiving timely care.
Located adjacent to Julian Thomas Elementary School, the center will be particularly accessible for families and students within the neighborhood, with plans to include culturally sensitive, bilingual services to ensure that residents of all backgrounds feel supported.
Starting in early 2025, Pillar Health will temporarily operate at Julian Thomas Elementary School to offer primary and mental health services. Residents can access care while the main Lincoln-King facility is under construction.
As an FQHC, Pillar Health can offer sliding-scale medical, dental, and mental health services, making healthcare affordable for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents.
Mary Ouimet, CEO of Pillar Health, noted, “Our goal is to eliminate barriers to healthcare access,” highlighting that the FQHC designation allows the center to receive enhanced federal reimbursements, ensuring sustainability while providing comprehensive care.
This designation enables Pillar Health to cover a broad range of services while meeting the community’s needs, including integrated care across medical, dental, and mental health services offered close to home.
Racine’s Public Health Department will occupy the center’s second floor, while Pillar Health will operate on the ground floor.
Bowersox explained the structure as “a coordinated approach where primary and public health meet to address the broadest range of needs without duplicating services.”
The Public Health Department will offer preventive resources such as vaccination clinics and family health programs, while Pillar Health provides clinical and specialized care.
Bowersox emphasized that the collaboration maximizes the impact of both local and federal funds, allowing each organization to operate effectively within its expertise.
“Together, we’re casting a wider net to make the most of available resources for the benefit of this community,” she said, adding that this approach will ensure residents receive a seamless healthcare experience.
By December 2026, the Lincoln-King Center will be fully operational and will offer an extensive range of services:
In early 2025, Pillar Health’s temporary site at Julian Thomas Elementary will offer select primary and mental health services, maintaining continuity of care for Lincoln-King residents as the primary facility progresses.
Bowersox described the Lincoln-King Center as more than just a healthcare facility, calling it a foundation for health equity in one of Racine’s most underserved areas.
Bowersox said the center is designed to support families across generations and aligns with Racine’s broader vision for a resilient and inclusive community, potentially offering a model for integrated care in underserved neighborhoods.
“This isn’t just about addressing immediate needs,” she said. “It’s about building a foundation for lifelong health and wellness.”
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Denise Lockwood has an extensive background in traditional and non-traditional media. She has written for Patch.com, the Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee Magazine and the Kenosha News. More by Denise Lockwood
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