Editor’s note: The strong response to the original announcement about the DCH Family Medicine Dallas Center led the Dallas County Hospital to issue this statement:
“We appreciate the outpouring of support following the announcement of DCH acquiring the Broadlawns Dallas Center Clinic in July and Dr. Nick Palmer becoming medical director of this clinic. We also wanted to address an area of concern: Never fear! Dr. Palmer will still spend most of his time seeing patients in Perry. He has such an amazing rapport with current patients, and we are excited for this to continue, while expanding his service footprint and the bandwidth of communities in Dallas County benefitting from his care. This concern conveys exactly why you should consider Dr. Palmer if pursuing a primary care provider now in Perry or Dallas Center come July.”
The Dallas County Hospital has acquired the Broadlawns Dallas Center Clinic at 507 14th St., and the new clinic — to be called DCH Family Medicine Dallas Center — will start operating Monday, July 3, the hospital said in a statement released Tuesday.
Dr. Nick Palmer will act as medical director of DCH Family Medicine Dallas Center and will see patients at the clinic, the statement said. Dr. Palmer has practiced primary care at DCH Family Medicine in Perry for six years.
Dr. Palmer will be a second-generation provider in Dallas Center, with his father previously practicing medicine here and mother employed in the office. He is passionate about serving the Dallas Center community and passing on the exceptional care the generation preceding him provided to local families and patients of all ages.
Additionally, DCH announced that Sheri Schroeder, physician assistant, will join the DCH team and will continue to see patients at the clinic. Schroeder’s familiarity with the community and reputation for providing outstanding care is admired. DCH said it invites the nurses and office staff to also join the Dallas Center team.
Dr. McHose has been a fixture and public servant within Dallas Center for more than 30 years, and his assistance and wisdom have been vital during the transition process to the DCH system, the statement said. DCH thanked him for his service and wished him well in retirement.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the patients and families I have had the honor of caring for throughout the years,” Dr. McHose said. “It has been a privilege to be a part of your lives and to assist in any way possible. I want to extend my best wishes to the incoming new administration and Dr. Palmer, along with his wonderful staff. I know they will continue the tradition of providing exceptional personal care.”
The hospital statement said DCH would continue its mission of providing patients high quality, personalized care accessible to all, and they look forward to engaging with patients, neighbors and the community. The current staff at Dallas Center will visit the Dallas County Hospital over the next few weeks to orientate themselves in preparation for the change while normal operations resume.
“DCH looks forward to expanding our footprint in Dallas County,” said Dallas County Hospital CEO Angela Mortoza, “and we are elated for the DCH Family Medicine Dallas Center to join the DCH family. We are neighbors caring for neighbors, and realize this philosophy is at the core of the Dallas Center community. Our service in the Dallas Center clinic will help us continue to carry out our mission and vision of being our community’s first choice for care.”
Months of preparation and meetings have occurred among the DCH and Broadlawns teams to ensure a smooth and complete transfer and continuity of care for patients, the DCH statement said. The hospital said it welcomes those who choose to continue care in Dallas Center through Sheri Schroeder or Dr. Palmer.
“It has been an honor and privilege providing compassionate care to our patients at Dallas Center Clinic,” said Broadlawns Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Anthony B. Coleman. “The unprecedented growth in Polk and neighboring Dallas County has shifted the demand signal and current care delivery model. We are delighted that the residents of Dallas Center will continue to receive seamless, high-quality care from Dallas County Hospital. We look forward to continuing to serve those who wish to maintain care, and we thank those who remain with Sheri Schroeder or pursue care with Dr. Palmer.”
A reception to celebrate the transition is anticipated in early August at the Dallas Center clinic and will be communicated about through local media outlets and social media pages.
