So Much To Celebrate At North Coast Health!

Have you heard our news! We are excited to share that North Coast Health (NCH) and Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP) plan to join together to increase access to primary care for low income individuals.

NCH’s decision to move in this direction is the result of our recent strategic planning. A task force, comprised of NCH board and senior staff leadership, explored the opportunity to link with another organization. We set out to identify an organization whose mission and culture aligned with ours. Our goal, as it has always been, was to continue to provide care for the most vulnerable members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay. Our search led us to Neighborhood Family Practice.

Neighborhood Family Practice and North Coast Health share similar missions, culture and a history of providing high quality primary care to those in need.  Early on, both organizations agreed that moving forward we could accomplish more together than either of us could independently. A final binding agreement is expected to be approved by the end of October.

On January 1, 2019, North Coast Health’s Lakewood location will be added to Neighborhood Family Practice’s network of community health centers as the North Coast Community Health Center. In addition, a support organization, North Coast Health, will be established for fund development and advocacy for the entire organization.

Jean Polster, president and CEO of Neighborhood Family Practice since 2003, will serve as CEO of both organizations. Gina Gavlak, president and CEO of North Coast Health will be president of the support organization and vice president of business development at Neighborhood Family Practice. Dr. Charles “Chuck” Garven, North Coast Health’s medical director, will continue to see patients and serve as senior medical advisor at Neighborhood Family Practice. All North Coast Health employees will join the Neighborhood Family Practice team.

Working together we will expand and increase access to care for residents of Lakewood, and surrounding communities. The clinic will remain open at our current location on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. Patient care will continue uninterrupted during the transition. Patients will still be able to see their doctor, nurse practitioner, counselor and all the members of our team at the Lakewood location. Next year, services will expand to include pediatrics, making it possible for us to care for the whole family. Additional services-- including pregnancy care, psychiatry and dental-- will be available at other Neighborhood Family Practice sites.  

What does this mean for the future? Many exciting opportunities; and a chance for everyone-- patients, staff, volunteers, community partners, foundations and individual donors-- to move forward with us!  

We have a lot to celebrate! On Thursday, September 13th North Coast Health will be holding our annual Celebration of Caring Gala at Market Square at Crocker Park from 6:30-9:30p.m. Funds raised will support NCH’s medical services, making it possible for those in need to receive the care they need, and deserve. The beautiful, open venue provides the opportunity for more mingling, gourmet food stations, open beer and wine bar and of course, auctions!! You are an important part of our past, present and our future. We hope that you will be able to join us! To purchase a ticket, or to make a donation, please visit northcoasthealth.org/events. Additional information on our affiliation with Neighborhood Family Practice can be found at northcoasthealth.org.

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Volume 14, Issue 18, Posted 4:23 PM, 09.04.2018