Primary Health Care Inc. is launching a wellness center at its East Side Clinic in Des Moines. The Primary Health Care Wellness Center will begin seeing patients on Feb. 15, with a focus on providing preventive care and health education to patients, staff and the community, the organization said in a release. Dr. Bery Engebretsen, founder and chief medical officer, said the center will work on treating the causes of diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. As a community health center, PHC has provided medical and dental care to underserved individuals and families since 1981. For the wellness center, PHC has partnered with the Des Moines Area Religious Council to provide food boxes to send home with patients struggling with food insecurity and to encourage healthy food choices. Among other programs planned are a community garden, a diabetes group research study and regular “Walks with a Doc” led by Engebretsen. The PHC Wellness Center will be located at 3509 E. 29th St. and will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.