LCO Community Health Center Finding Its Rhythm in New Facility

By Joe Morey

News Editor

Just over a month since opening its doors at the new location on Highway K next to Sevenwinds Casino, the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Community Health Center is running at full speed, and according to its director, Scott Johnson, the transition has been nothing short of remarkable.

“We had urgent care set up so we never really closed,” Johnson said during a recent interview. “Dental and pharmacy were open at the old building until the new one opened. And for medical, we were open and operational within a week’s time. When we can make that happen, that says a lot about our staff, and we have a lot of good people.”

The full move from the old clinic and the Bizhiki Wellness Center was no small task. Johnson credited not only his medical team but also the support staff who made the relocation seamless.

“When we first moved in, we ran into a lot of things that weren’t right. Contractors had to come back in and fix things. There was a lot of movement,” he said. “But we made it happen without interrupting patient care. Everyone did a nice job of staying patient and working with each other. Our maintenance and IT staff were phenomenal.”

Now, with operations fully underway, Johnson said things are settling into a rhythm. “We are a month in, and things are flowing smoothly.”

The clinic’s primary concern throughout the move was continuity of care. “Our top focus was to make sure every patient care service made the transition,” he said. “Now we are making our existing programs better, and they are growing.”

That growth is already evident. The clinic is hiring more staff, including additional dental and medical providers and a new pharmacy technician. To better manage patient flow, they’ve added a receptionist and are already preparing to add another due to high call volume.

“We’re also working on two greeter positions at the front with our tribal elders,” Johnson said. “They’ll welcome patients and escort them to the proper department.”

Small but impactful changes are also being made to accommodate patients. “We have long halls, so we’re installing railings along the walls to assist patients. We have them, and we’re working on getting them up now.”

As the clinic looks ahead, Johnson emphasized a vision of expanded access and inclusivity. “We have big goals, and that includes eventually opening our doors to the public and non-Tribal community,” he said. “We are not turning away patients now as long as they do not displace our tribal members and their appointments.”

Currently, the clinic sees patients with insurance who are not tribal members, provided there’s provider availability. “We are working on increasing our staff, and then we can increase our patients,” he added.

The pharmacy has also received an upgrade, now staffed with three pharmacists and a tech. A new drive-up window has improved convenience and efficiency. “That’s increasing productivity, and we want to increase productivity throughout the clinic,” Johnson said. “Revenue will go up when we do, but we have to do it in cautious steps—not overdo it or not be able to keep up.”

Looking to the future, Johnson shared that a pediatrician is on the clinic’s radar for 2026. “We are experiencing natural growth,” he said. “People are stopping in to see if they can register here.”

As of now, the clinic has 127 employees, but as they move forward, that number will rise.

More than anything, Johnson is proud of the culture being created in the new space.

“We’re moving in a good direction—a healthy culture,” he said. “We’re getting everyone on board. And we are creating harmony.”

In a short time, the new LCO Community Health Center has not only relocated, but redefined its potential as a growing hub of healthcare, community, and service for the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe and beyond.