About Us

Primary Health Care is a federally qualified health center, also known as a community health center.

About PHC

Primary Health Care (PHC) was founded in 1981 by Dr. Bery Engebretsen in Des Moines, IA. Our mission has remained unchanged since that time, to provide healthcare and supportive services to all, regardless of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay. Learn more about federally qualified health centers here.

Based on the needs of the communities we serve, PHC offers a spectrum of medical and dental services including family practice, behavioral health, HIV care and services, and pharmacy. PHC’s Homeless Support Services is the entry point for serving people experiencing homelessness in Polk County. Enabling services are available to help patients with benefits enrollment, case management, transportation, translation, and patient education.

PHC employs 62 physicians, dentists, advanced practice clinicians, dental hygienists, and licensed social workers. PHC has 400 employees. In 2020, PHC clinics and programs served 37,680 patients and clients with over 137,684 patient and client encounters.

Executive Leadership

Kelly Huntsman, MHA

Chief Executive Officer

Nathan Simpson, MHA

Chief Operating Officer

Kris Glaser, CPA, MBA

Chief Financial Officer

Bery Engebretsen, MD

Chief Visionary Officer

Julie Raasch, RN, MHA

Chief Quality Officer

Heidi Shreck, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Serving Patients, Strengthening the Community

We have proudly served Central Iowa for more than 30 years, In that time, we’ve added new locations, expanded our services, upgraded technology, and increased our medical and support staff – all in an effort to provide everyone with a better patient experience and to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

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