APO Community Health Center

05/17/2026

🎉🎂 Today we’re celebrating someone who helps make our mission possible every single day—happy birthday, Dr. Shelly Farnan! 🎂🎉

Shelly’s leadership on our Board of Directors has been rooted in compassion, thoughtfulness, and a deep commitment to the people we serve. She understands that behind every program, every service, and every number is a person—and she leads with that truth at the center of it all.

Through her guidance and care, Shelly continues to help shape a stronger, more responsive APO—one that meets people where they are and walks alongside them on their journey.

Shelly, we are so grateful for the heart you bring to this work and the way you show up for our clients, our team, and our community.

We hope today brings you time with those you love, moments of joy, and a reminder of the difference you make in so many lives. 💛

Join us in wishing Dr. Shelly a very happy birthday! 🎉👇

05/07/2026

There are some people who walk into your life loudly. And then there are people like John Houston, whose presence was quieter, steadier… but somehow larger than life all at once.

For 22 years, John poured himself into APO and into the clients of our Joplin office. He showed up day after day ensuring people had support, dignity, compassion, and someone in their corner. He believed deeply in caring for people as they were — not as the world expected them to be. And if you knew John, you know that wasn’t just something he preached… it was how he lived.

John loved fiercely and faithfully, especially his husband Patrick, who shared more than 25 years of life, love, adventure, and memories with him. He was a realist, absolutely. But underneath that realism was hope. Hope for people. Hope for better days. Hope that kindness still mattered.

And kindness did matter to John.

It was in the tilt of his smile. The twinkle in his eye. The gentle way he could deliver tough love when you needed to hear it. The way he could make you laugh, make you think, and make you feel seen all at the same time. John never needed to be the loudest person in the room to leave an unforgettable mark on it.

When we think of John, we think about the heart of Shrek — that true beauty, worth, and love have nothing to do with fitting into some perfect fairytale mold. They come from authenticity. From embracing people exactly as they are. From loving beyond appearances, beyond flaws, beyond expectations. John understood that better than most.

John, we weren’t ready to say goodbye when you retired after 22 years with APO. And we certainly weren’t ready to say farewell for good.

Thank you for every ounce of compassion, every hard conversation, every moment of grace, every laugh, every long day, and every bit of love you poured into this community and the people within it.

Until we meet again, friend…

“That’ll do, Donkey. That’ll do.” 💚

04/27/2026

🎉✨ OH. WHAT. A. CELEBRATION. ✨🎉

Last Thursday, we didn’t just mark a milestone…we THREW A PARTY 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING! 🥳

APO officially celebrated our 40th Anniversary with a ribbon-cutting that was nothing short of incredible. Our campus was filled with friends, family, clients, community partners, business leaders, elected officials, Chamber staff, and so many others who showed up to help us truly Honor the Journey. 💛
And what a journey it has been…
From a time marked by fear, loss, and so many unknowns…
To today—a place of hope, healing, innovation, and LIFE.
We celebrated the strength of our clients, the dedication of our staff (past and present), and the unwavering commitment of our board and supporters who have walked alongside us every step of the way.
We were deeply honored to have Mayor Jeff Schrag present a proclamation officially declaring it APO Community Health Day—a moment we won’t soon forget. 🙌

And let’s talk about the PARTY itself…
✨ Huge shoutout to our presenting sponsor VYTLONE for helping make this celebration one for the books!
🎈 Dena The Balloon Lady—your magic turned our space into a full-on celebration dream!
🧀 Stephanie Scott-Huffman—that charcuterie display?! Too pretty to eat…almost. 😍

But above all—this celebration belongs to YOU.
To everyone who joined us…
To those who couldn’t be there but have been part of these 40 years…
Thank you.
Thank you for trusting us.
Thank you for believing in us.
Thank you for cheering us on, lifting us up, and yes…for all the hugs along the way. 🤗

Here’s to 40 years of impact…
…and to the journey that’s still unfolding. 💫

04/23/2026

FYI, APO will be closing at 3 PM today so we can throw a party! 🍾🎉🎊🎈

04/23/2026

🎉🎂 Happy Birthday to the incredible Brandon Jenson! 🎂🎉

Today we’re celebrating one of the newest members of the APO Board of Directors (54 days new to be exact)—and already someone who is making a lasting impact in all the right ways.

Brandon has a rare and powerful gift: he doesn’t just hear people—he truly listens. He shows up with intention, compassion, and a deep respect for every voice in the room. And in a world where it’s easy to redirect the spotlight, Brandon consistently keeps it where it belongs—on others.

His determination to find solutions, paired with an unmatched work ethic, makes him a force for good. But it’s his heart that really sets him apart. Brandon leads with empathy, sensitivity, and a quiet strength that reminds us what servant leadership really looks like.

He’s passionate about the underdog becoming the top dog.
He believes deeply that “the least of these” deserve more.
And he stands firmly in his commitment to equality, fairness, and respect for all.

At APO, we don’t take it lightly how fortunate we are to have Brandon on our board. We know he will always seek to learn more, grow more, and help us be better—so that every person we serve receives not just healthcare, but compassionate, quality care.

Today, we celebrate you, Brandon. The way you pour into others day in and day out does not go unnoticed. So today, we’re pouring a little bit back into you. 💙

Help us wish Brandon the happiest of birthdays—and what we’re pretty sure should officially be recognized as…

🎉 National Brandon Jenson Day 🎉👇

📸: Kimera Gimson

03/31/2026

🎉 BIG NEWS, APO FAMILY! 🎉

We are beyond excited (and honestly, a little humbled!) to share that APO Community Health Center AND our incredible Medical Director, Dr. Stephen Adams, have both been nominated for Best of Southwest Missouri! 🙌

For 40 years, APO has proudly called Springfield home—serving our neighbors, families, and community with care, compassion, and commitment. And Dr. Adams? He’s been part of that heart and mission since 2008, stepping in full-time in 2017 and making an impact every single day. 💙

To even be nominated is such an honor… but we’d LOVE your help getting to the finalist round!

🗳️ You can vote once a day through April 17
👉 Click the link to cast your vote! https://www.voteswmo.com/

Here’s where to find us:
✨ Health & Beauty → Doctor → Dr. Stephen R Adams
✨ Health & Beauty → Medical Facility→ APO Community Health

https://www.voteswmo.com/

Every vote means the world to us and helps shine a light on the work happening right here in our community.

Thank you for supporting APO and for walking this journey with us! 💙



https://www.voteswmo.com/

Vote once per day from March 30 through April 17.

03/07/2026

Live in Rural Missouri?
You may qualify to participate in the TrueLevel HIV Feasibility Study through APO Community Health Center.

If you’re living with HIV and reside in rural Missouri, you could:
- Participate in a private, secure study
-Use a self-administered monitoring option in the comfort of your own home
-Receive $75 for your time

Your voice can help make viral load monitoring more accessible for people in rural communities.
100% confidential.
Visit https://www.truelevelmo.org/ or scan the QR code in the graphic to learn more.

03/02/2026

APO needs your help!

The Missouri Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and University of Missouri (MU), are conducting a research study/needs assessment to better understand HIV prevention and care and how well these services work together in Missouri. The research study is funded by DHSS.

The interview will last 30-45 minutes and interviewees will be compensated for their time with a $50 check. All you need to do is click the link below and provide an email address and your preferred interview times.

Utilize the link below that's appropriate for you.

Living with HIV: https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1A0KAakJuskEXFY

HIV-negative, have done HIV testing: https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1GnB7W0Zy3rhGSi

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

02/13/2026

Today is the last day to RSVP for our free community Annual Dinner on Tuesday, February 24th. We have just a few seats remaining, so if you would like to attend, please email your rsvp to Wade Shelton at wade.shelton@apo-ozarks.org. If you have any dietary restrictions we need to know about for your meal, include that in your email as well.

It's always great evening at this annual event and we hope you will join us for a very special evening.

02/03/2026

We still have seats available for our annual free community wide event. Please reach out to us to make your reservation by using the contact info in the graphic. It's always a great time at the APO Annual Dinner and we would love for you to be part of it!