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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

September 4^th, 2020

Dear Valued Patient:

Know that your safety and health remains our biggest priority throughout the pandemic. We are continuously modifying the way we deliver care to minimize the risk of accidental exposure including, universal masks by everyone and closing our reception waiting room. Please text 217-803-0047 when you arrive and wait in your car to be escorted into the building. BPC is prepared to keep you and your family safe and healthy!

We are in the final stages of construction. We have all new paint and carpet, come see our new look! In addition to occupying the entire building, we have made changes to prepare for the virus. First, we will have two exterior doors; the original front doors will be our “In” door and we will soon have an “Out” door; this is to prevent intersecting traffic and cross contamination. Second, we have built a separate “Protected Clinic” where we wear PPE and see all patients who have any COVID-like symptoms. It is completely separate with its own exterior entrance and HVAC in order to keep everyone safe. Finally, we have installed many glass barriers to protect you and our Staff.

Today, BPC is prepared. For our existing patients, we have acquired the molecular COVID test with a 48 hour resulting time. We ask that you be seen by a provider in our Protected Clinic so that we can do more than just test for COVID, but also rule out other diseases (Flu, Strep, sinusitis, etc.) that will soon complicate the situation.  For a contact with a COVID infection, testing should be done five (5) days after contact, so that there is enough virus RNA to detect. If you have been exposed and have no symptoms, make an appointment after “Day 5”. If you had a close contact for over 15 minutes, please self-quarantine for 14 days. If you develop symptoms, we will see you that same day and test immediately.

After Labor Day, BPC will be returning to its usual convenient hours, including limited morning slots at 7:40 and evening appointments until 5:40. As always, we have our Saturday clinic 8:00-11:30.

To prepare for this winter, we have added to our Staff and providers. We would like you to welcome Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Whitfill FNP. With over 18 years of clinical experience, you will find her friendly, patient, and very competent. We have also permanently brought on board Nurse Practitioner Kates Sitton FNP, who has been working clinically since 2015. Please feel confident in entrusting them with your health care needs.

We would also like you to welcome Dr. Jordan Forney. Originally from Brimfield, here in Central Illinois, he went to medical school at Rocky Vista in Colorado and completed his training earlier this year. He is attentive, thorough and very capable. On a different note, join us in wishing Dr. Cunningham the best as he moves to Chestnut Family Health Clinic (which BPC actually helped start years ago!) to work with the underserved population and follow his interest in addiction medicine. Although any patient may see any provider at BPC, Dr. Jordan Forney will be assuming care of Dr. Cunningham’s practice. We are very excited to have Dr. Forney join BPC, and we hope you consider him for your family’s care.

BPC has been on the vanguard of this pandemic and will push to find the best way forward for our patients and this community. Thank you for your support and love. It is an honor to care for you and your family. Together, we will overcome this pandemic!!

P.S. We now have Flu shots available! Make a nurse appointment or ask your provider.