After 26 years of dedicated service and leadership, Arthur Center Community Health (“ACCH”) would like to formally announce the retirement of its long time CEO, Terry Mackey. For the last 26 years, Terry has worked tirelessly to build ACCH from the ground up, and to ensure that the communities we serve have access to the high quality healthcare services they need. Audrain Medical Center’s decision to divest their outpatient mental health clinics on April 1, 2002, led to the beginning of East Central Missouri Behavioral Health Services, - the Arthur Center. 

Dan Erdel, attorney, was pivotal in preparing all of the legal paperwork and garnering local support to start the journey. Assets purchased from the hospital included two small buildings in Mexico, old office furniture, a few older vehicles and a rental agreement for a building in Fulton, all in need of repairs and renovations. Terry’s vision then led the organization to apply for a grant from the US Depart of Health and Human Services to expand services to include primary care and dental for Audrain County. Arthur Center Community Health began with that vision and once the grant was approved, the organization received the designation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). 

Under Terry’s leadership and with many dedicated employees, the organization has grown from 70 employees to 170 employees and more to hire. The organization’s infrastructure includes construction of all new facilities: a 16-bed residential facility constructed in Mexico and opened in July 2015, a 25,000 square foot integrated health facility providing primary care, behavioral health and dental services in Mexico opened in February 2016, two, 4-bed residential duplexes in Mexico opened in October 2018, a Community Services building in Mexico to assist with community based services opened in January 2020, expansion of the clinic in Mexico to add a separate pediatrics and women’s health wing opened in June 2022, a behavioral health clinic in Fulton opened in June 2018, a Community Services building in Fulton opened in November 2020, a mobile unit garage to house a medical mobile unit and a dental mobile unit opened in May 2021, pharmacy modifications to add a medication packaging machine and open an in-house pharmacy in December 2023, and an 11,000-square-foot integrated health facility providing primary care, behavioral health, and dental services, and includes space for community services staff in Montgomery City opened in February 2024. 

Under Terry’s leadership, Arthur Center Community Health has grown to be a regional, multi-service, healthcare organization that provides healthcare services to over 10,000 patients across Central Missouri. On Jan. 1, 2023, ACCH was approved to be a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) by CMS serving 6 counties in Central Missouri. With that designation, ACCH has expanded many behavioral health services.

Terry’s last day as CEO of Arthur Center will be July 14. Terry has selflessly dedicated the last 26 years of his life to helping the communities we serve, and being an advocate for the most vulnerable members of those communities. We cannot thank Terry enough for all he has done, and we know many members of the community feel the same way. Terry has made such a positive impact on the communities and people we serve, we feel it is only fitting that they be invited to join us in celebrating Terry’s impressive legacy and many accomplishments.

The public is welcome to join on at the Audrain County 4-H Building July 10, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.., with comments by members of the community beginning at 5:30. The building is located 21509 Highway D, in Mexico. All are welcome to attend and show Terry how much his contributions have meant to the community and celebrate his much-deserved retirement.