By Marisa Dawson

Nebraska Medicine has opened a new Bennington Health Center, marking the first primary care and immediate care clinic of its kind in the Bennington area. Located at the northwest corner of 156th and State streets, the facility officially begins seeing patients on Monday, March 9, at 8 a.m.

The clinic celebrated its upcoming launch with a community open house on Saturday, February 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where local residents, business representatives, Bennington Chamber of Commerce members, and others toured the modern space, met staff, and learned about the services. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony followed on the afternoon of Monday, March 2.

The Bennington Health Center offers comprehensive family medicine from pediatrics through geriatrics, along with an on-site immediate care clinic for acute needs, including after-hours care. Additional on-location services include lab draws, X-rays, preventive care visits, cancer screenings, vaccinations, and healthcare maintenance.

Dr. Chad Moes (pictured below), medical director and practicing physician at the clinic, highlighted the broad scope of care. “We’re going to offer care from the beginning stages of life to transition through the various stages of life,” he said. “We’ll see pediatrics, geriatrics, and there’s going to be an immediate care clinic. So if there’s acute care needs, after hour needs, we’ll be able to serve that here at the clinic.”

He emphasized the convenience for local patients. “I see a lot of patients right now. I’m at the Elkhorn Clinic currently and a lot of my patients are driving from here to Elkhorn. So now they can drive just five to ten minutes or less,” Dr. Moes added. “We’re happy to be the first out of the big organizations here in this area.”

Dr. Michael Ash, CEO of Nebraska Medicine, explained the motivation behind the expansion. “Our goal is easy access to world class healthcare. So we’re constantly working with our patients to identify what services they need closer to home,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of growth in Bennington and a lot of our patients were having to make what’s turned into a 30 plus minute drive to the Main campus. So it was a great opportunity to start primary care here, and add additional services over time.”

Dr. Ash stressed the role of primary care as the foundation of health. “Primary care is really where it starts. People should get their annual physicals, really be screened for preventative diseases, screening for things like colorectal cancer, et cetera. And so by having that closer to home, we feel that that’ll be easier,” he noted. He also highlighted community integration and job creation, saying the clinic brings new employment opportunities and fosters a sense of being part of the neighborhood. “I love when you can really be the physician and see your patients at the grocery store, see them in parts of the community.” He commented on the ease of access, noting that several community members at the open house even walked to the clinic.

Bennington Mayor Clint Adams praised the development as a sign of the area’s momentum. “I think it’s obvious proof that businesses, large businesses are looking our way more and more now that we’ve hit a peak in terms of new housing developments and population size,” he said. “People are seeing these opportunities and taking them a bit more seriously. So I’m very excited and happy that Nebraska Medicine saw that need and the viability of being the first to come out here.”

He added that the clinic significantly benefits families. “It’s a huge benefit to have this location here. Much closer than in the past where individuals would have to drive to Maple or even beyond to get this type of primary care. It’s just nice that it’s much closer, much more convenient for everybody here in town.”

The opening aligns with Nebraska Medicine’s broader mission of expanding access, including planned growth in areas like Gretna and Grand Island. Dr. Ash described it as part of a commitment to “easy access to world class healthcare,” noting that patients can receive routine primary care locally while having seamless coordination for specialized needs at the main campus or other facilities.

Community response has been positive, with strong turnout at the open house and excitement about reduced travel times. Mayor Adams encouraged locals to visit, urging people to check it out even if they currently see other providers.

The Bennington Health Center operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with immediate care available during extended hours. For more information or to schedule appointments, visit nebraskamed.com or contact the clinic directly.

The clinic serves primary and immediate care needs and includes facilities for labs and x-rays when needed.