The Audrain County Health Department has announced the signing of a new lease agreement with the Audrain County Commission and the city of Mexico to occupy the former Vandalia Medical Clinic located at 204 W. Washington St. 

“This significant milestone marks a new chapter for the delivery of public health services to residents of eastern Audrain County and surrounding communities,” ACHD stated in a news release on Aug. 22.

The Lange building, built in 1999 by Audrain Medical Center, was intended to be a family medicine practice. The building, which became available following the bankruptcy of the former hospital in Mexico, was acquired by Audrain County, city of Mexico and the Hospital Foundation as part of a broader initiative to establish a Critical Access Hospital in Mexico. 

“The lease of this facility to ACHD reflects a shared commitment to ensuring continuity and expansion of public health services to eastern Audrain County, including Vandalia, Farber, Laddonia and Martinsburg,” states Alan Winders, Presiding Audrain County Commissioner, in the release.

Currently, ACHD operates WIC and foot clinic services from the Lange Building in Vandalia. With this new, more permanent location, ACHD said it will now be able to broaden its footprint by offering additional services, including immunizations, back to school health screenings and wellness education programs. 

“The move positions the health department to better serve the long-term needs of families, seniors, and children in eastern Audrain County,” said Leslie Meyer, eastern Associate Audrain County Commissioner, in the release.

“This opportunity honors our commitment to preserving access to public health services for the people of Vandalia and eastern Audrain County,” said Craig Brace, Administrator/CEO of the Audrain County Health Department, in the release. “By securing the former Vandalia Medical Clinic building, we are investing in the future of public health for the region and reinforcing our mission to prevent disease, promote wellness, and protect our residents.”

“I’m pleased to hear the health department has the opportunity to find a more permanent location for the continuation and expansion of services to our residents,” said Darren Berry, Vandalia city administrator, in the release. “We look forward to supporting the health department as they establish a dedicated facility to serve the citizens of Vandalia.”

The release stated renovations to the facility are set to begin in the coming weeks, with ACHD aiming to open the new location by early-mid October. The building will serve as a central hub for enhanced public health services and future growth opportunities for the eastern part of Audrain County.

“We’re excited to see such a positive outcome of expanded public health services as a result of an unfortunate situation surrounding the hospital bankruptcy,” Mexico City Manager Bruce Slagle said in the release. “We can’t think of a better use of the building in service to our county residents.”

ACHD officials said they extend their gratitude to the city of Vandalia for the use of the Lange building for the past several years, as well as the Audrain County Commission and the city of Mexico for their partnership and support in making this vision a reality.