LCHC cuts ribbon on health care expansion

LOWELL — The new, in-house pharmacy at Lowell Community Health Center has been officially open for a month, and in that time, more than 2,000 patients have filled 6,000 prescriptions.

Meeting the needs of the community — onsite, in real time and with compassion — is the mission of the federally qualified health center, said CEO Susan Levine. In her remarks before a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Wednesday afternoon at the Jackson Street complex in Downtown Lowell, Levine emphasized the center’s commitment to meeting the growing health care needs of the community.

“We respond to what our community needs,” Levine said. “A year ago, with the benefit of some federal and state funding, we had the privilege of planning a redesign of this first floor.”

That redesign includes the $1.2 million pharmacy project that expanded the previous commercial pharmacy space from 1,100 square feet to its current 1,600 square feet, staffed by in-house pharmacists using advanced automated prescription-filling technology.

The $1.2 million new patient walk-in center increases access to same-day sick visits by adding two additional patient exam rooms and a renovated waiting area.

A modified redesign of the lobby better supports the flow of patients into the center’s 200,000 square feet of rehabilitated mill space.

“We’re trying to make that at all points along the way, it’s welcoming and a coherent patient pathway,” Levine said, “that creates more capacity for our community members.”

Among its many programs and services, the center provides wraparound outpatient health care to its clients, including pediatrics, eye and dental care, mental health supports, obstetrics/family planning services and HIV screening and treatment.

Providing that level of high-quality health care requires funding, and Levine thanked U.S. Rep Lori Trahan for being a “fierce and steadfast advocate” for the health center.

“Thank you for making this dream come alive,” she said.

Trahan spoke to the center’s early days 54 years ago as a small Lowell General Hospital clinic housed in a modest one-room apartment unit.

“Back then the dream was simple but powerful to create a space for everyone — regardless of their background, their income, their language or circumstance — [so they] could access high-quality care,” Trahan said.

Today, that humble beginning has grown to a bustling health care center that employs more than 500 staff members who speak 28 different languages so that patients are able to communicate with staff in their preferred language.

“Lowell Health Center is not just a building, but a lifeline and a reminder of what we can achieve when we invest in the health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable,” said Trahan, who brought $900,000 in federal funding to the project.

Although 74% of its patients are on MassHealth, which provides health benefits to qualifying children, families, seniors and people with disabilities living in Massachusetts, its clinical and pharmacy services are available to the general public. More than 37,000 people are registered to receive care through LCHC, which equates to 100,000 visits a year.

Levine also recognized the state delegation and local leadership represented by City Manager Tom Golden and Mayor Dan Rourke.

“You all made it possible,” she said.

State Sen. Ed Kennedy recognized the vital role LCHC plays in the success of the city of Lowell and the Merrimack Valley.

“Affordable healthcare is a human right, and I am proud to support initiatives such as the Lowell Community Health Center’s new pharmacy and Walk-In Center that allow more residents of the First Middlesex Senate District to receive necessary health services regardless of their financial status,” Kennedy said in a statement.

The new pharmacy is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about the programs and services offered by the LCHC, call 978-937-9700 or visit lchealth.org.