The Kirk Clinic is a Rural Health Clinic. A Rural Health Clinic (RHC) is a clinic located in a rural, medically underserved area in the United States. RHCs were established by the Rural Health Clinics Act (P.L. 95-210), (Section 1905 of the Social Security Act). The program was established to address an inadequate supply of physicians serving Medicare beneficiaries and Medicaid recipients in rural areas and to increase the utilization of non-physician practitioners. Like other medical providers, RHCs must provide certain services in order to qualify for the program. In addition, a RHC must employ a nurse practitioner (NP) or a physician assistant (PA) and have a NP, PA, or certified-nurse midwife available at least 50 percent of the time the RHC operates. The Kirk Clinic is a member of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics.
The Kirk Clinic has three Nurse Practitioners (NP) and two Physician Assistants (PA). NPs and PAs are licensed medical professionals who hold advanced degrees are are able to provide direct patient care. They work with patients of all ages and diagnose and treat common illnesses and perform minor procedures. They also focus on health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling.
Our four physicians are Board Certified in Family Medicine and have medical staff privileges at Colquitt Regional Medical Center. Each of our physicians utilize the Colquitt Regional Medical Center Adult and Pediatric Hospitalist Programs to provide hospital care for their patients during their stay at the hospital. For more information regarding the Colquitt Regional Hospitalist Program go to www.colquittregional.com.
On October 7, 2013, The Kirk Clinic was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Georgia Department of Public Health Immunization Office for Outstanding Immunization Coverage of Two-Year-Old Children and our Participation in the Vaccine For Children’s Program.
The Kirk Clinic is proud to be the Family Medicine office of The Colquitt County Packers and members of the CCHS Sports Medicine Program. You will see Dr. Swartzentruber on the field at the CCHS Football games providing support and treatment to injured players.
