ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
At its 2023 annual banquet, Grace Place Pregnancy Care Center began raising funds for an ultrasound machine.
In May of 2024, staff at the center were ready to do some renovations for a new ultrasound machine, and they asked their landlord, neighboring First United Methodist Church, if they could use the building next to them.
That building had been formerly occupied by United Methodist Mexican American Ministries and Genesis Family Health. Grace Place Director Cindi Lyddon said the church had gone through some changes, and FUMC staff had made the decision to stop allowing other entities to use their property.
“They also wanted to downsize properties,” she said. “So it became necessary for us to either move or purchase our building. We decided to buy both our building and the one next door to us for the new ultrasound program. God is so good. Thanks to donors, we were fully funded for the purchase price of $252,000.”
Renovations to the new building are finished, and Thursday, Grace Place welcomed the community to an open house and ribbon cutting to mark the official opening of its new limited medical clinic.
Lyddon said Nurse Manager Gwen Rawlins is now completely trained, along with volunteers Mirella Buchman and Tina Froese, and with each new service Grace Place will provide, staff is required to undergo extensive training.
“Gwen is getting things ship-shape, and things are moving along nicely,” Lyddon said.
As of July 18, Rawlins, Buchman and Froese are now certified to perform limited ultrasounds and are open for business at Grace Place.
“These free ultrasound exams determine the age and location of the baby and listen for heartbeats,” Lyddon said. “Ultrasound day is Tuesdays, and we offer a free preborn baby photo. Call for an appointment.”
Ultrasounds are read by Dr. Coy Matthews, Grace Place’s medical director.
“He lives in North Carolina and maintains a Kansas certificate to practice medicine,” Lyddon said. “Also reading ultrasounds is Dr. Emily Webb of Wichita, who is an OB/GYN.”
Lyddon said in addition to limited ultrasounds, new services could include an abortion pill reversal she said Dr. Matthews is passionate about offering.
“That may be coming in the near future,” she said.
Lyddon said the new clinic represents a culmination of hundreds of hours.
“We joined the National Institute of Families and Life Advocates to get help with policies and procedures, signed up for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments waivers and updated our buildings according to OSHA standards,” she said. “Dr. Sandy Christiansen of Carenet mentored us through the technical parts.”
Lyddon said a second step is to do some renovation to Grace Place’s original building at 311 N. Grant Ave. to better meet the needs of fathers and the boutique.
“The fatherhood guy is ready,” she said. “Barbecues and bibles, look out, here we come.”
Grace Place’s teen classroom is also ready.
“We will start to sign up girl teens for the relationship training starting in the fall,” Lyddon said.
She added the original building will remain the parent education space with classroom, boutique and offices.
“We look forward to serving our clients even better in the coming years,” she said.
