A health center serving rural Wisconsin has secured a major boost to expand much-needed medical and dental services closer to home for thousands of residents. The Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc., led by Greg Nycz for over five decades, will receive $3 million from the federal government to help build a new clinic in Wisconsin Rapids.
Many patients in Wisconsin Rapids currently have to travel long distances, sometimes 70 miles or more, to receive dental care. Greg Nycz explained that over 1,000 people made this challenging journey last year, most of them experiencing pain and wishing for care nearby. With the new building, more people in the area will have easier access to dental and primary care, as well as substance use treatment.
The funding marks part of a larger state effort to address health and safety challenges through improved infrastructure. Wisconsin’s congressional team sought over $60 million for special projects like removing lead pipes and building health centers. The $17 million price tag for the new Marshfield clinic will also depend on help from the local community.
Congressman Derrick Van Orden and Senator Tammy Baldwin supported this project, emphasizing its importance for low-income residents, people without insurance, the elderly, the disabled, and veterans. Nycz pointed out that many veterans do not qualify for dental care through the VA, so the new center’s location near a VA clinic could benefit them. The project has the additional promise of creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
While the $3 million earmark is being processed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nycz has highlighted the urgency of the need. Temporary care and telehealth options are already in place for substance use treatment in Wisconsin Rapids until the new facility opens. Once it is built, the clinic is expected to provide more chances for early screening, easier referrals, and ongoing care, helping the community maintain better health without the burden of long travel.
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