Bowen Health breaks ground in Huntington

Bowen Health, Huntington, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, August 6 at their new location on U.S.-24 and N 200 W across from Parkview Huntington Hospital. Shown in the photo from left, are Tanner Babb, board member, Bowen Health; Matt Ditzler, executive director, Community Foundation of Huntington County and board chair, Bowen Health; Mayor Richard Strick, City of Huntington; Eddie Gomez, vice president, facilities, Bowen Health; Dr. Rob Ryan, president/CEO, Bowen Health; Lori Augustus, executive director, Bowen Health; Rich Hoffman, facilities director, Bowen Health; Jay Baumgartner, CFO Bowen Health; Shannon Hannon, COO, Bowen Health and Terry Miller, Huntington County Council, at-large.

Bowen Health broke ground in Huntington on its fifth new integrated healthcare facility on Wednesday, August 6. A rendering of the new facility is shown at right.

“We recognize that this investment, this partnership, is really critical in the next steps in our community,” said Huntington Mayor Richard Strick. “We know that ultimately, especially for those of us who might find a personal faith in things, that this is one way that we bear one another’s burdens, and ultimately, that’s what it means to be a city. That’s what it means to be a neighborhood and a community. We’re delighted to see this investment and these new opportunities that come with it.”

The project, located off of U.S.-24 at N 200 W in Huntington, is an $11 million investment in Huntington County. The 29,000-square-foot building is the fifth new facility to be launched by Bowen Health. When the new building opens near the end of 2026, dental care will be added to existing healthcare services, which include primary health care, mental health care, addiction recovery treatment and life skills coaching.

“We knew we could return years to people’s lives if we had a healing space designed around integrative care,” said Bowen Health president and CEO Dr. Rob Ryan. “The purpose of this new building is to be conveniently located, be the place patients and staff can be proud of, and design it around maximizing integrative health. These changes are not just for those struggling with mental illness; this is a campus of hope.”

The Huntington project is the fifth to be launched by Bowen Health. Construction is currently underway on an integrative healthcare building in Wabash. New buildings opened in Whitley County in early 2024 and in Marshall County in early 2025. Another will open this September in Warsaw, serving Kosciusko County.

“With every building we develop, we consider the needs of the communities and how these buildings can serve a single, essential purpose: to heal people and provide the services they need for a long, successful life,” said Eddie Gomez, VP Facilities, Bowen Health.

“This new facility is going to be more than a building,” said Matt Ditzler, chairman, Bowen Health board of directors, and Community Foundation of Huntington County executive director. “It’s a promise that people in Huntington County will have access to care close to home, centered around dignity and focused on the whole person, mind and body.”

“This new building allows us to serve more people and to expand our services,” said Bowen Health executive director Lori Augustus. “We’re working alongside more partners and continuing to find innovative ways to work with them to grow this community, to make it healthier and stronger.” She said the new building will increase the number of licensed therapists, expand primary care, pharmacy services, and expand area dental care options. “We know that having quality health care accessible to everyone, regardless of ability to pay, is what’s best for Huntington County.”

Having care available and nearby can make a big difference when it comes to getting people the care they need to live their best lives,” says Bowen Health CFO Jay Baumgartner.

“Unfortunately, for low-income residents, transportation can be a challenge, which means if there is a health issue, it can go untreated,” Mr. Baumgartner said. “When we look at their options for dental care, finding a provider that accepts Medicaid is next to impossible. That’s why this investment of $11 million is not an investment in the building; it’s an investment in our patients, in our staff, in the community, and in the quality of life for all.”

Starting his first job out of college in Huntington as a Bowen Health case manager in 2004, Dr. Tanner Babb, a professor at Huntington University and a Bowen Health board member, said he learned a lot about what his family, neighbors and friends struggled with.

“This has been a dream of mine for a very long time. Where somebody can walk in and go to a dental appointment, see their psychiatrist, and have their kids see their counselor without having to have multiple appointments throughout the week at different places, driving all over the place,” said Dr. Babb. “It’s going to be efficient for our patients, affordable for our patients, and it’s just going to make Huntington a better place.”

“This groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bowen Health here in Huntington, one that reflects years of thoughtful planning, saving, and dedication to our mission of transforming lives,” said Bowen Health COO Shannon Hannon. “The new space will allow us to expand our already established mental and physical health services and allow us to begin offering dental care right here in Huntington County.

“One thing to keep in mind, these services are not just for those patients we’re already serving,” Ms. Hannon continued. “They’re here for everyone in this community. Our doors are open to all. This beautiful building will be a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose and a deep commitment to the health and well-being of a whole community.”