New Health Clinic Opens in Brighton Park

By: Ashmar Mandou

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

PHOTO CREDIT: DNAinfo/Casey Cora

Families welcomed a long-overdue health clinic to the Brighton Park community, an area depicted as “medically underserved” by many health advocates and residents.

The David Health and Wellness Center, located inside the annex of Nathan Davis Elementary School, 3050 W. 39th Place, is the first school health center in the Brighton Park neighborhood aimed to serve students of Davis Elementary, Burroughs Elementary, among other Brighton Park schools as well as families seeking affordable medical care.

On Tuesday morning, the Davis Health and Wellness Center officially opened its doors thanks in large part to the partnership forged between the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, the UIC Office of Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health Partnerships, and the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, to name a few.

Cynthia Boyd, director of the UIC Office of Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health Partnerships, described Brighton Park as a community in dire need of medical improvement due to the shortage of health care providers and health center partners. The Davis Health and Wellness Center, comprised of five exam rooms, a lab, and administrative space, will be staffed by advanced-practice nurses, a mental health professional, nurse educator, nutritionist, and support staff. In addition, three community outreach workers will help families prepare for imminent changes under the Affordable Care Act.

The Davis Health and Wellness Center is one of four school-located health centers sponsored by UI Health. All sites serve as an educational role for UIC student health professionals. Made possible by grants from the Health Resource and Service Administration and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation for Illinois, the center will operate Monday thru Friday 8:30a.m., to 1p.m., and 2p.m., to 4:30p.m.

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