While touring the area, Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert stopped at NIU Friday long enough to announce the new federal grant supporting the Tri-County Community Health Center at Kishwaukee Community College.

“I’ve spent a lot of time trying to find good, common-sense solutions to health care,” Hastert said during the early-afternoon press conference.

The grant of $453,510, which Hastert identified in the federal budget, will be used to maintain the health center and allow the staff to update and purchase new medical equipment.

Upon receiving federal grant money, the NIU-operated Tri-County Community Health Center opened in 1993. It wasn’t until 1994 that the center was opened to the public.

In order for the clinic to remain open, patient fees and community donations, such as an anonymous one for $500,000, are the main source of income. The initial grant expired three years ago.

The center was opened to provide low-income residents, with little or no insurance, of DeKalb, Ogle and Lee counties, with affordable health care. However, the center will provide health service to everyone.

“We primarily see low-income families, but we are open to everyone, including students,” center director Mary Uscian said.

Since its beginning, the health center has expanded to three different locations. The main clinic is located at Kishwaukee Community College in Malta. There are additional clinics located in DeKalb and two in Rochelle.

The DeKalb site is located at the DeKalb County Health Department, 2550 N. Annie Glidden Road, and is in service Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The DeKalb location, as well as the others, is partly staffed by NIU nursing and health care-related students.

“This grant will definitely enhance the educational opportunities for our students,” said Sharon Miller, associate dean of health and human sciences, during the press conference.

The health center provides many services to the public, including physical exams, annual Pap smears and treatments for everyday colds and flus.

“The health center is delighted to serve and reach so many people,” Uscian said. “It shows that the center is a success.”

In just six years, Tri-County Community Health Center has helped more than 10,000 people and provided them with quality health care.

“Our goal is to get people into hospitals, doctors into hospitals and not into the court room before they get health care,” Hastert said.