OhioGuidestone Announces Medical Front Door 

Medical and Psychiatric care available for new patients 

BEREA, OHIO, May 1, 2023 –OhioGuidestone, the state’s leader in community behavioral health has announced its new Medical Front Door service offering direct access to medical and psychiatric care for new patients. 

“The Medical Front Door is wide open with direct access to our physicians, psychiatrists, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants,” said OhioGuidestone President and CEO, Brant Russell. “This program removes barriers to provide more timely access to medical providers for new mental health and substance use disorder clients,” said Russell.

Previously, only current clinical clients could receive care from our Medical program. Now anyone can get doctor/provider care promptly at OhioGuidestone. This access is crucial since many people are candidates for prescription medication for substance use or mental health conditions, and receiving that treatment quickly, in conjunction with counseling and other support services, is key to recovery.  

The availability of medical providers is a barrier to accessing psychiatric care across the state. For example, in a 2019/ 2020 study out of northwest Ohio by Healthy Lucas County, 13% of parents reported that they were unable to find a psychiatrist for their child 0 to 11 years old. 

“We’ve removed the gatekeeper, so patients can go straight to a medical provider for care, making the difference between a 6 to 8-week wait, and an appointment as early as tomorrow in some locations,” says OhioGuidestone Medical Director, Dr. Lou Ralofsky.

Medical Front Door is one of two OhioGuidestone initiatives that profoundly shift the patient experience around access to care.  Rapid Access programs in Tuscarawas, Medina, Wood and Hancock counties offer substance use clients immediate walk-in care where they can be seen, evaluated and start medication assisted treatment the same day. 

Russell added that the Medical Front Door fits in perfectly with the mission of the organization, saying, “responsive person-centered care means bringing the best care to an individual in the quickest, most direct way.”

Medical Front Door services are available in 17 locations throughout Ohio including:  

Northwest Ohio: Bowling Green, Bryan, Defiance, Findlay, Napoleon, Perrysburg, Toledo  

Northeast Ohio: Berea, Canton, Cleveland, Fairlawn, Lorain, Medina, New Philadelphia 

Central Ohio: Columbus, Lancaster, Marion 

 

Call 844.6.CALL.OG (844-622-5584) to schedule an appointment. OhioGuidestone provides care to more than 26,000 Ohioans.