Heartland expands primary care access with new family medicine provider

In response to increasing demand for primary care and integrated health services, Heartland Community Health Center announced this week that Audrey Hunter, DNP, NP-C, has joined its family medicine team. The addition is expected to improve access to care for patients and community members seeking timely, comprehensive health services, regardless of income or insurance status.

Health center leaders said adding family medicine capacity is critical to meeting community need and supporting coordinated care across services.

“Expanding access to primary care is essential for the health of our community,” said Julie Branstrom, Chief Executive Officer of Heartland Community Health Center. “Adding Audrey to our family medicine team strengthens our ability to connect patients to medical care and supports the work happening across behavioral health, dental services, and our Community Health Worker program. This coordination is key to reducing barriers and ensuring patients receive the care they need.”

Heartland operates an integrated care model, with family medicine providers serving as a central entry point for patients who may also need behavioral health support, oral health services, or assistance addressing social factors that impact health.

Hunter is a family nurse practitioner with experience working in a federally qualified health center and in acute care settings. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Arkansas.

“I am looking forward to contributing to Heartland’s mission through direct patient care,” Hunter said. “I am always honored when patients trust me with something as precious as their health, and I value the opportunity to learn from my colleagues and work alongside patients as partners in their care.”

Lisa Russell, DNP, NP-C, Chief Clinical Officer at Heartland Community Health Center, said Hunter’s background will strengthen collaboration across care teams.

“We are excited to welcome Audrey Hunter, DNP, NP-C, to Heartland,” said Russell. “Her experience in federally qualified health centers gives her a deep understanding of the populations we serve and the importance of team-based care. She brings a strong passion for quality and efficient approaches to serving patients. Expanding our family medicine capacity allows us to better support community health and ensure patients are connected to the full range of services available to them.”

In 2025, Heartland expanded care beyond clinic walls, with Community Health Worker services growing by 48 percent and supporting 890 patients and families. More than 80 percent of those patients were also connected to medical care, and nearly one in three patients benefited from coordinated, team-based care. In total, nearly 23,000 patients received care across Heartland service lines.