Family Centers and Greenwich Hospital announced their intent to partner on primary care services for adults and children to improve healthcare access while ensuring the long-term health of the underserved populations in Greenwich and its surrounding communities.
To accomplish this goal, Greenwich Hospital will file a Certificate of Need (CON) in June for approval to transition its Outpatient Center and clinic services (adult medicine clinic, including women’s health and geriatrics, and pediatric primary care clinics) to Family Centers– a Federally Qualified Health Center – without any gap in services. Subject to governmental approvals, Family Centers will assume management and day-to-day oversight of the clinics in a newly renovated space at 75 Holly Hill Lane, which is accessible via public transportation. All services will continue to be offered at the current clinic locations at 500 West Putnam Ave and 5 Perryridge Road until the new site opens.
The new space at 75 Holly Hill Lane, expected to open in 2024, greatly expands capacity enabling the hospital and Family Centers to meet more patient’s needs. Once completed, the new space will feature 15 exam rooms – 10 for adult patients and five for pediatric use, a 20 percent increase in capacity. In addition, mental and behavioral health services will be offered with onsite access to a mental health clinician.
“This partnership achieves a number of objectives,” said Diane Kelly, RN, president of Greenwich Hospital. “It not only preserves but enhances access for patients throughout our community. Combined, we can bring better coordinated, high quality primary care to residents of Greenwich and beyond.”
Greenwich Hospital will continue to support the outpatient clinics as part of this new model, maintaining the high-quality care it has provided over the years, supported by the medical residents, and led by Ellika Mardh, MD, medical director, Greenwich Hospital Outpatient Center and senior associate director, Internal Medical Residency Program. Through this partnership, both Family Centers and Greenwich Hospital will combine their existing clinical strengths and capabilities to create a culturally competent care model that leads to an optimal patient care experience. With Family Centers in the lead, clinic patients will now have access to a network of behavioral health, dental and human services to complement their medical care.
“Ensuring that all residents have access to quality medical care is an essential component in preserving the overall well-being of any community,” said Family Centers’ CEO Bob Arnold. “This partnership with Greenwich Hospital both expands the primary care services and adds a network of wrap-around supports to better serve our communities most vulnerable populations. Fortifying outstanding medical care with behavioral health and human services will allow us to offer a coordinated, holistic approach to care that improves patient health outcomes.”
As part of the collaboration, Family Centers will also adopt Epic, the electronic health record (EHR) currently used by Greenwich Hospital. Sharing a common EHR will facilitate integrated data capabilities and promote efficiencies across the care continuum.
Family Centers remains committed to the residents of public housing and other underserved communities and will remain so as this partnership develops. Additional details on this partnership will be shared as they become available.
