About Us
Our Mission:
To provide high-quality, comprehensive, and affordable health services that improve our patients’ overall health.
Lifecare Family Health & Dental Center is part of the local healthcare delivery system serving as the primary home to thousands of patients at three Health Centers located in communities that need them the most.
Lifecare is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a reimbursement designation from the Bureau of Primary Health Care and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Programs are funded under the Health Center Consolidation Act, Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. Lifecare is a 501c3 non-profit organization governed by a board of directors. More than half of the directors are Lifecare patients from the community.
Our Vision:
Be the preferred, one-stop provider of quality, affordable health services to all patients–including the medically underserved.
Why Choose Lifecare?
Affordable
Lifecare is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), which is a reimbursement designation from the Bureau of Primary Health Care and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Accessible
Lifecare Family Health & Dental Center serves as the primary home to thousands of patients at three Health Centers located in communities that need them the most.
Compassionate
Lifecare first opened its doors as a free clinic in 1994, providing access to primary medical care to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents of Stark County.
Community-Based
We maintain a strong commitment to providing quality and comprehensive health care to everyone who walks through our doors. Lifecare Family Health and Dental Center is rooted in the communities we serve.
Eric Niemeyer
Chief Executive Officer
Lifecare Family Health and Dental Center
A Letter from Our CEO
Our Fellow Community Members, Patients, and Future Patients:
I am pleased to introduce Lifecare Family Health and Dental Center to you! We are your community health center proudly serving Stark County and the surrounding area for nearly thirty years. We offer our hearts and hands to assist you with compassion and comprehensive healthcare services.
We enjoy the special Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) designation, which means that we receive federal assistance that enables us to serve all patients. We absolutely have something for all persons, and accept all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Indeed, we are able to serve you through our medical, medication management, dental, behavioral health/counseling, and vision services. Additionally, we offer language interpretation services for you or your family members who prefer our services in a language other than English.
At Lifecare, we strive for the highest levels of quality care. From the moment you pick up the phone or come to see us, to your finished appointment, we seek the best experience for you and strive to help you achieve the best health outcomes. We are your Patient-Centered Medical Home and other health-needs Home. You are at the very center of our attention and we are your healthcare team to walk with you hand-in-hand as your healthcare partner.
Our comprehensive approach to your care is where we excel. For example, if you begin as our medical patient, we can expand our services as you may need dental or mental health services. We have talented physicians, nurse practitioners (medical and psychiatric), dentists, dental hygienists, counselors, a clinical pharmacist, and an optometrist. We have joined together as one powerful team to care for you as a whole person.
We are also there for you no matter your financial situation. We believe that financial challenges should never limit the healthcare services that you need. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most forms of private insurance. In addition, we have a sliding fee scale that can be the source of significant discounts for you. We will look at your household size and household income and apply discounts that match your situation. We also offer a small nominal fee for those with the greatest needs.
Our highest priority is your health and well-being. Whether your needs are wellness and preventive care or the treatment of exceptional challenges, we stand ready to help as your healthcare home. We are Lifecare Family Health and Dental Center. It is our privilege to serve you with our hearts and with our hands. We thank you for allowing us to be your partner in the health of your life.
Our Values
Accountability
At Lifecare we are accountable to our agreed-upon company values without regard to company title. We will continually recognize excellence for working and living our values and will respectfully hold ourselves accountable for needed correction when we fall short of values
Ethics & Integrity
We value ethics and integrity, and we will operate to the highest standard of fairness, honesty, morals, principles, and reliability to one another, to our patients and to the communities we serve
Communication
We will communicate clearly, systemically, and practice active listening
Compassion
Caring and empathy in action. It allows us to effectively connect with our employees and patients without judgement.
Growth
We will strive to make each other feel values through positive feedback, recognition, and effective communication. We will mentor and coach each other and provide tools to promote growth and opportunities to reach our full potential. We know that doing these things will create loyalty and a desire to strive for excellence.
Respect & Dignity
We strive to offer quality healthcare through knowledge, empathy, and professionalism. We value our differences in perspective which adds strength and value, not a threat to our position. We respect the fact that we can agree to disagree.
Consistency
We will apply all rules fairly, and follow established workflows, policies, and procedures.
Our History
Our history and mission are deeply rooted in who we serve and where. Lifecare Family Health & Dental Center provides affordable, accessible healthcare services to residents of Canton, Massillon, and surrounding Stark County, Ohio, communities. We are a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) open to persons of all ages regardless of ability to pay or health insurance status.
Proudly Serving the Stark County Community Since 1994
Lifecare opened its doors as the Richard D. Watkins Canton Community Clinic in September 1994 as a free clinic. Access to primary medical care was made available to low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents of Stark County by a small, part-time staff and 13 volunteer physicians and dentists, as well as 12 volunteer nurses.
The plan for a community-based clinic was championed by Canton City Mayor Richard D. Watkins, longtime successful local businessman Guy M. Cecchini, and a dedicated advocate for high-quality healthcare for the needy, Dr. Murli Manohar. The trio worked for over a year to lay the groundwork and since its inception, the clinic was unanimously supported by the Canton City Council.
The 2,000-square-foot Canton Community Clinic was located on the east side of Canton, Ohio, in a former bank branch donated by Society Bank to the City of Canton. The original board consisted of 21 community leaders. Dental care was added in 1996 and operations were funded primarily with HUD grants through 2005.
Federally Qualified Health Center in 2006
The Canton Community Clinic applied for federal funding to become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). With overwhelming support from the Stark County community, the Clinic was approved and funding was made available in March 2006. The FQHC designation enabled the Center to expand and provide comprehensive health care services, including medical, dental and behavioral health services.
Clinic Moved to a Permanent Location in 2007
Canton Community Clinic moved to its permanent home in 2007, located at 2725 Lincoln Street East in the center of a medically underinsured healthcare area. The 10,000-square-foot building was purchased and renovated, with 100 parking spaces, improved handicap accessibility, easy access to public transportation and room for expansion.
Second Location Opened at Goodwill Community Campus in 2013
Canton Community Clinic opened a second location in Canton at the Goodwill Community Campus, located at 408 Ninth Street SW. The Goodwill Campus is home to more than 17 non-profit organizations that work together to serve the Stark County Ohio community. Our vision services were added to this location in the summer of 2016.
Name Changed to Lifecare Family Health & Dental Center in 2014
In 2014, the Richard D. Watkins Canton Community Clinic name was changed to Lifecare Family Health & Dental Center.
Lifecare Opens Third Center in Massillon in 2015
Lifecare was awarded funding in August 2015 for a third location in Western Stark County. Lifecare opened its doors in the City of Massillon at 820 Amherst Road NE, in early December 2015, offering basic primary medical services. Access to dental care was found to be a need in Massillon, so in January 2020, Lifecare was proud to open our brand new state of the art Dental Clinic at this location.
Connect with Lifecare
Are you looking for affordable healthcare in your community? We’re here to help! Contact us today for more information or to request an appointment.
