Bristol Grand Opening

Here is the press release about the grand opening of our new site in Bristol, as modified for the blog.

CHC is pleased to announce the official grand opening of its expanded Bristol facility. Community members toured the new center at 395 North Main Street on Monday, April 2 during an open house event, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Congressman John Larson and Mayor Arthur Ward. As the need for quality primary care services continues to grown in the Bristol area, CHC has responded by nearly doubling the size of this location.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to join with Mayor Ward and the City of Bristol today to celebrate the opening of Community Health Center Inc.’s latest facility,” Congressman Larson said. “All over the area the work that the men and women of Community Health Center Inc. do is recognized for its high quality and I am confident that this new facility will carry on that tradition.”

The Community Health Center of Bristol will now offer behavioral health and dental hygiene services for its medical patients of all ages, in addition to expanded primary medical care and an on-site Quest Laboratory. The center also provides assistance with application for public insurance and other support programs.

“The center features new state-of-the-art technology, and more access  to ensure community members continue to receive the highest level of health care,” said Yvette Highsmith Francis, director for CHC’s Hartford and New Haven County sites. “This new site will better reflect the quality of our providers and the innovative technologies we use to improve our patients’ experience.”

Community Health Center, Inc. is recognized as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) with their highest recognition (Level 3), and recently became certified by The Joint Commission as a Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH). CHC is the first and only health care organization in Connecticut and one of the first in the country to be designated as a PCMH by both organizations.  Patient centered care is a team-based model of health care led by a personal physician who provides continuous and coordinated care throughout a patient’s lifetime to maximize health outcomes. PCMH’s are held to a set of standards that require them to be innovative and constantly working to improve care for their patients.

“With the economy still weak our health centers have experienced an increased demand for primary and preventive care,” said Mark Masselli, president and CEO of Community Health Center, Inc. “This new facility positions us to meet this critical need in the Bristol community. We are expanding and building to meet the increased demand and look forward to working collaboratively with the other health care providers in the Bristol community”

The Community Health Center of Bristol originally opened its doors at 59 North Main Street in 2010 with primary medical care services, but quickly realized that additional access to comprehensive care was needed in the community. The $1.25M project consisted of a renovation of a 6,500 square foot space located 3 blocks from the original site. The completed facility includes state-of-the-art medical exam rooms, a behavioral health group room and a dental hygiene room. Patients will also have access to on-site nutrition counseling, diabetes educations and podiatry service. CHC of Bristol will employ 9 full-time and one part-time employees.