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Dear Friends, Supporters, and Colleagues, In the growing debate about how health care is delivered and reimbursed, the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center remains a steady force in the community. More than 43,000 patients depend upon us for their care. Working out of our four primary care clinics, two school-based health centers, and 12 homeless sites, GLFHC clinicians are making a difference in the lives of our patients every day. Since the introduction of the Massachusetts health care reform law, GLFHC has experienced a steadily rising demand for both walk-in and scheduled visits. Accommodating these ever-increasing numbers of patients has put a physical strain on the Health Center’s clinic space, especially at our oldest facility located in North Lawrence. Our North Site, which opened in 1984, was designed to handle 15,000 patient visits a year. Today, patients make more than 28,000 annual visits at our North Site. Many of North’s patients are residents of the North Lawrence/Arlington/Methuen neighborhood, which is comprised primarily of older triple-decker apartments housing several families. Consequently, the Health Center’s site in North Lawrence is over capacity at times, and many neighborhood residents have to travel to our clinics and pharmacies in other parts of the city for their health care needs. In our effort to improve access for walk-in and scheduled care, GLFHC began planning the North Site Renovation and Expansion Project more than a year ago. The expansion will allow us to increase capacity by 15 exam rooms (bringing the total to 29) and hire several new providers along with additional support staff to meet the increasing demand for both walk-in and scheduled patients. The project design includes upgrading the registration and patient waiting areas to accommodate an increased patient flow, as well as to provide more comfort and privacy for patients during their visits. While planning these upgrades, the Health Center decided it made sense to include the construction of a full-service pharmacy which offers affordable medications to our patients. Providing access to medications in a safe, controlled, cost-effective, and culturally sensitive setting will increase our patients’ compliance with their drug regimen. When the North Site Renovation and Expansion Project is completed in mid-2010, the North Site will be able to provide primary health care to an additional 5,400 new patients. By the end of the second year of operation, when the North facility reaches its full capacity, the Health Center anticipates an additional 22,000 patient visits a year. You can help us renovate and expand this facility by supporting our 5th annual Making a Difference fundraiser on November 5th. The theme for this year’s gala is Building for the Future. All proceeds from this event will directly support the North Site Renovation and Expansion Project. Please accept my invitation to be a sponsor of our annual gala. As you consider your level of support, remember that your identification as an Event Sponsor does not end with the gala on November 5th. As a donor, you have opportunities to have your name or corporate logo displayed within the new North Site as well as engraved on our Donor Walkway. For years to come, these will be tangible reminders of your generosity and your commitment to our mission. I hope that the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center can count on your support. With Gratitude, Robert J. Ingala Chief Executive Officer | |
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