LOCAL
Ball State expands primary care access with new Muncie clinic
Jane Imbody
Muncie Star Press
Aug. 27, 2026, 5:08 a.m. ET
Ball State University is expanding health-care access in East Central Indiana by opening a new family medicine primary care practice at its Interprofessional Community Clinics in Muncie
According to a community announcement, three newly hired family nurse practitioners are beginning to build patient panels ahead of a soft launch planned for early September. The practice will operate within the Healthy Lifestyle Center at 1613 W. Riverside Ave. and will provide care for patients of all ages
Services will include annual wellness visits, preventive care, routine physical exams, chronic disease management, women’s health services, health screenings, preventive counseling and treatment for common health concerns. The practice also will coordinate specialty referrals when needed. Officials said new patient inquiries will be reviewed to help determine the most appropriate care setting for each patient
“We want patients to have a primary care experience built around listening, education, and an ongoing relationship with a provider who knows them,” said Justin Tobyas, director of interprofessional education and practice and assistant clinical professor of athletic training in Ball State’s College of Health. “Our providers will work alongside patients to address immediate health needs while emphasizing prevention, early intervention, and the daily choices that support long-term wellbeing.”
The new service will focus on relationship-based care, with an emphasis on prevention, wellness, early intervention and management of chronic conditions. Because it is located within the Healthy Lifestyle Center, patients also may have access to re
New practice expands community health resources
Ball State said the initiative aligns with its efforts to work with community partners to improve population health across East Central Indiana. The university also said the practice will create additional hands-on learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in health professions
“Expanding access to primary care is a meaningful extension of our college’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve,” said Scott Rutledge, dean of Ball State’s College of Health. “This practice will provide compassionate, relationship-centered care while creating additional opportunities for our students to learn in an academic health-care environment shaped by collaboration, service, and innovation.”
The family medicine practice builds on the work of Ball State’s Interprofessional Community Clinics, which were established in 2019. The clinics combine patient care, student education and community engagement through several specialty services, including the Audiology Clinic, Counseling Practicum Clinic, Healthy Lifestyle Center and Speech Pathology Clinic
University officials said the clinics currently provide about 16,000 appointments each year at the campus location, along with roughly 10,000 community outreach encounters through the Healthy Lifestyle Center
Additional clinics join Interprofessional Community Clinics
The Interprofessional Community Clinics recently added two programs from Ball State’s Teachers College: the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Psychoeducational Diagnostic and Intervention Clinic
The clinics became part of the ICCs on Aug. 17 and are expected to begin accepting new clients in October. Ball State said additional details about services and availability will be announced as plans are finalized
University leaders said the expanded network of services is intended to increase healthcare options for individuals and families across East Central Indiana while broadening clinical education opportunities for students
The new primary care practice will be in-network with Medicare, most Indiana Medicaid managed care plans and Anthem commercial insurance plans. Patients with other commercial insurance plans may receive out-of-network coverage and are encouraged to verify benefits with their insurance providers before scheduling an appointment
Patients can schedule appointments by calling 765-285-1293
Full-time Ball State students attending classes on campus will continue receiving care through the Amelia T. Wood Health Center at 1500 W. Neely Ave. Students seeking more information or appointments can call 765-285-8431
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