The October 2025 Newsletter is here! See below for updates and inspiration from the Community Health Clinic. Please subscribe to receive these monthly updates in your email inbox!
A Look into Occupational Therapy
In general, Occupational Therapy (OT) helps people participate in meaningful activities which are what we call "occupations". For a child, it includes activities such as feeding themselves, dressing themselves, playing with others, and learning at school. However, some children have challenges with these occupations for various reasons which requires the service of OT.
To address these delays, OT works on improving a child's performance in areas such as fine motor skills, gross motor skills, sensory processing, feeding skills, self-care skills, social and emotional skills, cognitive skills, and play skills.
Interested in receiving OT? First, contact your doctor to discuss your child's need for therapy services to receive a referral. If you would like services at the CHC, have them send the referral to us. Our team will then call to schedule an initial evaluation.
The Occupational Therapy Department has been very busy these past few months, and I’d like to share some exciting updates with you.
First, thank you to our community for your support of the OT Benefit Breakfast. I am always humbled by the kindness and generosity of those who attend our events. Thanks to your contributions, we were able to fund our School Readiness Program.
The goal of the School Readiness Program is to help children with developmental delays, behavioral or attention challenges, and sensory processing difficulties build the skills they need to successfully transition to school. We are currently serving eight children, who are working on skills such as sitting at a table, drawing shapes and letters, and coordinating upper-body movements for playground games. I am fortunate to have two therapy aides, Mari and Kris, assisting with the program. I am so grateful for their support. We are excited to offer the program again in early 2026.
In addition, the CHC has welcomed a new Occupational Therapy Assistant, Ellie, who helps with the program and provides treatment for children. As a team, we have been focusing on expanding our knowledge in the treatment of sensory processing and feeding challenges. Ellie recently earned her certification in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, a specialized treatment for children who are “picky eaters” or “problem feeders.” I will be completing this training later this year.
I am also pleased to announce that the department has moved into a larger space in the clinic. Our new space allows us to better support children with motor delays, coordination challenges, sensory processing difficulties, and other needs that impact their daily lives.
I am truly grateful for the ongoing support for our department. Our team looks forward to continuing to serve children in the community.
-Erin Kline, OTD, OTR/L
The Occupational Therapy Team
Erin Kline, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Ellie Kercher, COTA/L
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Patient Story - Kimberly's Story
My name is Marla. My husband, Chris, and I have been married for 9 ½ years. Our family consists of 3 little girls ranging in age from 17 months up to 7 years. Our youngest, Kimberly, was born August 27, 2023.
I had a completely normal pregnancy and birth. When Kimberly was about a week old, my midwife came to do the heelprick for newborn screening. After she left (and Kimmy stopped crying), I didn’t think about it again. Several days later, we had a phone call from Jodi saying Kimmy’s newborn screen came back “abnormal.” I can still remember the sinking feeling that came over me. I wasn’t sure what “abnormal” meant, but I knew it wasn’t good. Jodi asked us to come to the clinic the following day, and so began our journey with the Community Health Clinic….READ MORE
HC Upcoming Events
November 2025
14th Annual Dutch Dinner | November 8th 4:30PMLocation: Sammlung Platz (758 N Tomahawk Trail, Nappanee, IN 46550)
Annual event to bring awareness to the CHC and raise support for our mission. Learn More
Clare, Michigan Outreach Clinic | November 14th
By appointment only - to make an appointment, please call the CHC at (260) 593-0108
Berne Outreach Clinic | November 19th
By appointment only - to make an appointment, please call the CHC at (260) 593-0108
CHC Clinic Closed | November 27th and November 28th
In observance of Thanksgiving, the Community Health Clinic will be closed November 27th and November 28th
December 2025
Berne Outreach Clinic | December 18th
By appointment only - to make an appointment, please call the CHC at (260) 593-0108
Illinois Outreach Clinic | December 22nd
By appointment only - to make an appointment, please call the CHC at (260) 593-0108
CHC Clinic Closed | December 24th (afternoon) and 25th
In observance of Christmas, the Community Health Clinic will be closed the afternoon of December 24th and a full day December 25th
Research Updates
We at The Community Health Clinic (CHC) are seeking your help with a wellness study being conducted here at the clinic. This study is called “Characterizing Genetic Diversity in Plain Populations” (GDPP). Dr. Z and the Research team overseeing this study are attempting to link genetic changes to health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Gaining a better understanding of the potential effects of genetic changes may aid in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions in the future.
Anyone is welcome to participate if they are 18 years of age or older AND are of Plain (Anabaptist) ancestry, including Amish and Mennonite. This study consists of one appointment. You will be asked to answer questions about your health, medication, and family history. You will have several measurements taken: height, weight, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumference, and blood pressure readings. This will be followed by a blood draw to collect genetic information and clinical blood testing. You will receive these clinical blood results (blood sugar, cholesterol, blood count, and the health of your kidneys, liver, and thyroid) by phone or mail with follow up instructions for any abnormal results. These test results may be taken to a primary care provider to guide future care.
We will be offering this study on 10/23/2025 and 11/19/2025 at the Community Health Clinic (730 E North St Shipshewana, IN 46565). We will hold start times at 3 pm, 5 pm, and 7pm.
We ask that you call The Community Health Clinic at 260-593-0108 and ask for a Research Coordinator if you have interest in participating in this study. We can then confirm availability and ensure that we are able to accommodate those that wish to participate. Please do not hesitate to contact the clinic with any questions or concerns prior to this date. We look forward to this event and hope to see you there.
Faces of Care - Team Member Spotlight
Jared Beasley, RN, MBA
Executive Director
"I’m grateful for the opportunity to work as the Executive Director at The CHC. My role allows me to spend time working with our Volunteer Board of Directors and other strategic partners to ensure The CHC is meeting the needs or our community and patients as well as remaining focused on mission oriented services. In addition to a dedicated Board of Directors I’m honored to serve with an extremely talented leadership team working to ensure financial health, high quality specialized clinical and medical home services, and cutting-edge research. I’m also happy to work alongside our facilities team and occasionally pull a trailer or do minor carpentry!"
Hobbies: I love doing almost anything outdoors, backpacking, camping, and fishing are some of my favorites. I also enjoy all types of endurance sports, primarily marathons and triathlons. Mostly I love doing these things with my wife (Karla) or one of my three adult children (Evan, Kora and Gray).
Fun fact: I was a college wrestler and still serve as a volunteer wrestling coach for our local high school.
Best part of my job: The people – the extremely smart and talented team at CHC and the amazing Community, Patients, and Partners that support our work in so many ways! Best job ever!
Supporting the CHC
The Community Health Clinic was developed based on a budget that included fundraising and grants to support the cost of providing patient services.
Your online donation will help eliminate this gap and ensure that patients and families can continue to access specialized care for a reasonable cost.