We at GLFHC are very excited about the expansion and renovation of our North Site on Park Street in Lawrence. This project is a result of our longterm planning process, and includes a full renovation of our oldest site, which opened in 1984.

The expansion will allow us to increase capacity by 15 exam rooms and hire enough new providers to meet the increasing demand for both walk-in and scheduled patients. In addition, the renovation project provides the opportunity to open a second retail pharmacy offering affordable medications to our patients. Approximately 5,400 new patients are expected to utilize services at this site as a result of improved capacity.

By the end of the second year of operation, when we reach our full capability, we anticipate an additional 22,000 visits a year. The Health Center is extremely grateful for grant awards from both the federal government and from Neighborhood Health Plan, a not-for-profit Managed Care Organization administering an Emergency Room diversion program on behalf of the state’s Division of Health Care Finance and Policy. Also, several local foundations have contributed toward making this project a reality. We extend our thanks to Stevens Foundation, Clipper Ship Foundation, and the Agnes M. Lindsay Trust for their support.

This is an exciting time for GLFHC as we move into Fiscal Year 2010. Although state funding reductions have posed a significant challenge to us, we remain confident about the future of community health.