By Arielle Altman
The Hudson River HealthCare (HRHCare) center in Beacon celebrated its Grand Opening on Friday with a breakfast and ribbon cutting ceremony with patients, community members, and local officials. HRHCare is a network of 13 community health centers that provide affordable and high quality services to 42,000 people throughout the Hudson Valley. The center was also joining health centers across the country in celebrating National Health Center week, which was given the theme, “Celebrating Patient Voice and Community Choice.”
In the sunny, newly renovated building off of Main Street, Michael Caldwell of the Dutchess County Health Commission addressed the struggles in public health today, which HRHCare is working to overcome by welcoming all patients. Since the early 1970’s, HRHCare has strived to meet the needs of low-income and vulnerable populations by providing health services to everybody, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. “This community center is a bright light towards a healthier future,” said Caldwell.
HRHCare President and CEO Anne Nolan said that this is a big year for health centers, which serve 15 million people across the nation. New York State has given 50% more funding for people without healthcare this year in response to the community’s needs and growth.
“We are going to be a healthier community because of this,” said Congresswoman Sue Kelly, who is a strong supporter of front line healthcare and has been fighting for the increased funding.
To reinforce the welcoming nature of the Beacon center, patients and community members were served breakfast by Assemblyman Tom Kirwan, Congresswoman Sue Kelly, VP Dental Officer Cliff Hames, and CFO of Finance Thomas Sexton. Additionally, the building’s new decor creates a comforting environment with the several paintings by pop-artist Lisa Grubb hanging on the walls. In the spirit of serving the community, Grubb has offered to donate 25% of the profits made from the painting sales to HRHCare.
Services provided by HRHCare in Beacon include adult and pediatric primary care, gynecological care, family planning, HIV counseling, optometry, dentistry, nurse midwifery care, and infectious disease specialty care, among others.
“We are so happy this is in our community,” said Mayor of Beacon Clara Lou Gould. “It is truly a pleasure to honor community health.”
