On Sept. 30, Upland community physicians Dr. Helen and Dr. Shannon Riegle transferred ownership of the health clinic facility to Taylor University, a gift totaling nearly $2.0 million.
The transfer of ownership brings a new partnership between Taylor University, Indiana University Health and Upland Health and Diagnostics Center (UHD).
An email from the president’s office Oct. 1 said the building—located on 1809 S. Main Street near Taylor’s main entrance—is expected to re-open in late November. Taylor’s Invitation Program, which was housed in the facility but was suspended during COVID-19, is due to be up and running within the next two weeks. These developments will stabilize access to healthcare services for Upland, Taylor employees and students moving forward.
“We (the Riegles and the staff of UHD) have been honored and privileged to care for Upland and Grant County for 23 years,” Helen Riegle said. “We are blessed and grateful for the partnership of Taylor University, Indiana University Health and Upland Health and Diagnostics, allowing us to continue caring for the people of Upland and Grant County.”
Ron Sutherland, special assistant to the president, said that Taylor’s ownership of the facility provides the opportunity to facilitate long-term conversations about health services moving forward. From an employee perspective, he said the partnership ensures employees in the community can receive a continuation of care with doctors they have come to know and appreciate.
He is personally grateful for the Riegles’ service, as they have been his family’s physicians for over 20 years.
“They helped take care of our children (now fully grown), my wife and I, and my parents when they moved into town in 2006 until their passing,” Sutherland said. “Their impact on our lives has been evident in many ways. To know that the Riegles and Taylor University have partnered together to help the Riegles, the community, Taylor University and our students, all in the midst of the uncertainty of a pandemic, will be a special memory I will hold for many years.”
Shannon said they are both certified in and specialize in family medicine and completed their residencies at Ball Memorial Hospital. Helen said they enjoy seeing a variety of faces since they can care for people from day one to 100 years old.
Until the facility is open, Taylor is currently using TimelyMD telehealth for health care, an online alternative by the name of “Taylor Care.” This has provided 24/7 online access to medical care providers and psychological counselors since Taylor sought new healthcare alternatives in July.
