Erie in the News
Erie Family Health Center Selected To Open All-New Health Center Providing Primary Care At West Town Neighborhood Clinic
Patients to continue receiving high quality care while gaining access to more services
CHICAGO –June 12, 2012 – Erie Family Health Center, a provider of high quality health services to underserved communities, was selected to open a new primary health care center at the West Town Neighborhood Clinic, 2418 W. Division St., the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced last week. The City of Chicago and Erie Family Health Center are in the process of finalizing an operating agreement and lease.
Upon completion of the agreement with the City of Chicago, on July 9, 2012, Erie will open the new health center, to be called Erie Division Street Health Center, at
the CDPH West Town Neighborhood Clinic site. Erie will staff the health center after conducting an open and transparent hiring process in order to build the most qualified team of professionals. Erie will ensure current patients have access to health care services during the period between the closing of the primary care services function at CDPH West Town Clinic and the opening of Erie’s Division Street Health Center.
“We have provided health care services in the West Town and Humboldt Park communities for more than 50 years and the CDPH West Town Neighborhood Health Clinic is located in the heart of our service area,” said Dr. Lee Francis, President and CEO of Erie Family Health Center. “We are pleased to be able to continue the high quality health care services that patients are accustomed to receiving, while also expanding services – all without interruption to patients.”
Erie will provide primary medical care for adults, older adults and children, as well as chronic disease management, vaccines and flu shots, HIV testing, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care and women’s health services. Separately, CDPH will continue to provide mammograms, family case management and run the Women, Infants and Children program at the same location.
Once the health center is fully operational under Erie’s management, residents will have access to additional services, including a fully bilingual staff (English and Spanish) who can assist patients with preventive care, and benefits assistance. Extended hours and Saturday appointments will be available and patients will be able to speak with a bilingual health care provider via telephone after business hours.
In addition, Erie offers access to an expanded network of locations providing dental care, optometry and podiatry services. Patients who enroll at Erie Division Street can visit one of Erie’s other locations in the city to receive these services.
“We know that patients rely on easy access to neighborhood health care services and we are committed to serving the community and expanding the safety net of patient care,” said Dr. Francis. “Our goal is to enhance the quality of the patient experience and serve more patients.”
The Chicago Department of Public Health has notified all current patients that Erie will become the new primary health care provider, and an Erie staff member will be on-site at the clinic starting this week to answer questions. Patients also can call 312-666-3494 to schedule appointments taking place after July 1st or go to www.eriefamilyhealth.org for more information.
About Erie Family Health Center
Founded in 1957, Erie Family Health Center’s mission is to provide accessible, affordable, high quality health care to those in need. Erie provides primary care medical services including: pediatrics, internal medicine, family medicine, women’s health and podiatry to approximately 37,500 low-income Chicagoans each year at 11 health center locations. Erie also provides HIV/AIDS care, behavioral health counseling, case management services, health education, oral health services, and eye care.
Media Contact
Sarah Dietze, PCI
312-558-1770
