Hiawatha Valley Mental Health to Fully Reopen Winona Clinic for In Person Services in June

WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Centers is preparing to fully re-open its Winona Clinic for in-person services by mid-June.  

Community Laison Mike Fahey says they’ve taken advantage of technology to provide virtual care but said meeting in person is more impactful.  

“It’s always better to be able to meet an individual face to face and be able to pick up on non-verbal’s as well as just having that personal attention and contact but in a safe manner,” said Fahey.  

The Winona-based mental healthcare provider says they provided almost half of their services via telehealth, compared to 3% in 2019. They’re working to repurpose the Winona space to allow clients and caregivers to safely meet.  

Hiawatha valley’s Red Wing, Wabasha, and Caledonia locations have begun meeting patients face to face.  

Full press release from Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Centers:

Winona, Minnesota –Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center is preparing to fully re-open its Winona Clinic for in-person services by the middle of June.

Our other locations in Red Wing, Caledonia, and Wabasha have already started meeting with consumers face to face in the clinics. The Winona Clinic has had limited in-person services since the height of the COVID-10 pandemic in March of last year.

Most services have been provided through telemedicine. Currently, work is in progress to repurpose space within the clinic to allow for face-to-face interaction safely for all. “I am very excited about us changing as an agency again, to best meet the needs of the community,” said Executive Director, Erik Sievers. “This time returning slowly, thoughtfully, and deliberately to a closer version of providing behavioral health services in a manner that we were able to prior to when the pandemic began.”

Tele-medicine services will continue to be provided as needed for consumers who prefer to do so. In 2020, Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center provided 49% of services in-person and 51% of services through telemedicine. That is a significant change from2019, where the organization provided 97% of services in-person with only 3% being offered through telemedicine.

“We have been able to stay open throughout the pandemic and continue to provide responsive and consumer-focused behavioral health services through enhanced utilization of telemedicine,” added Sievers.

If you would like a tour to view the new space changes, contact Stacy Shones, StacyS@hvmhc.orgor 507.453.6214. For individuals looking to donate to HiawathaValley Mental Health Center go to www.hvmhc.org/donate