Photo by Jody Isaackson Open Door’s new nurse practitioner Deborah Cleveland is already building the patient clientele by helping them offer affordable health care on a full-time basis.

MARSHALL — Nurse practitioner Deborah Cleveland is doing her part in keeping health care costs affordable.

Cleveland opened her new office on East College Drive and will see patients of all economic levels with fees charged using a sliding scale. Cleveland began seeing patients at Open Door Health Center, located inside Western Mental Health Center’s new building, in early March.

“People will just not go to the doctor because they can’t afford it,” Cleveland said. “With insurance costs rising, some people can’t afford insurance, or their deductible is too high. I think this is really unique to have a sliding fee scale.”

The office will cover a full spectrum of services.

“This is a family practice,” Cleveland said. “We offer immunizations, screenings, prenatal care, well visits, chronic issue management (like blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension) and physicals for all ages.”

“We can also do lab work with an onsite lab,” Open Door satellite clinic manager Carmen Graupmann said. “We have access to mental health and dental as well. There is a pharmacy here. We accept all insurances. We want to treat the whole person. Our goal is to make it a one-stop shop and provide good health care for everyone.”

Cleveland is a Marshall High School graduate who went on to Mankato State University for her bachelor’s degree and to Walden University in Minneapolis for her master’s degree. After which she got some well-rounded nursing experience.

“I’ve worked in nursing for 17 years,” she said. “I’ve worked for both ACMC and Avera. They’re both great services.”

Looking forward to the future, Graupmann said, “We’re really excited about the partnership with Western Mental Heath. It’s going to be good all around.”

Graupmann is also looking forward to an open house they are hosting from 4-6 p.m. on June 21.

“Most of the providers will be around for people to meet,” she said, “and the public can learn about the services offered here.”

The new location and a full-time medical provider offers the community’s residents affordable health care from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, not just one day a week as before opening this new office facility.

While appointments are preferred, Cleveland said, they will take walk-ins.