Wheeler Enhancing, Expanding Family Health & Wellness Center, $2-million bond supports building renovations, improvements
A $2-million bond will help provide for structural enhancements and improvements at Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center in Hartford.
The bonding was announced by the State Bond Commission on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 and supports physical improvements to the five-story building, such as heating and cooling, drainage, waterproofing, and insulation enhancements, as well as a new patient entrance that will increase safety and flow for drop-off and pick-up. It will allow Wheeler to expand behavioral health services and integrate pharmacy and laboratory services into the care continuum.
“In our first six months of operation, we served thousands of Hartford-area residents, providing a vital community need of accessible health care,” said Susan Walkama, LCSW, president and CEO of Wheeler. “With these renovations, we will make needed improvements to the physical environment and infrastructure at the center and maximize access to care for an additional 8,000 patients over the next three years. When completed, the center will provide many of the services a patient requires, in one location.”
A number of jobs will be created as a result of the renovations, including construction workers, support staff, community health workers, pharmacy techs, pharmacists, lab techs, and behavioral health clinicians.
Walkama praised Governor Dannel Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman for their advocacy of improved local access to health care.
“Both Governor Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Wyman have been consistent and strong voices, saying that residents of Hartford must have access to accessible, effective, patient-centered health care,” Walkama said.“We are grateful for their support and vision at every step of the way.”
The Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center at 43 Woodland Street is a community health center, part of a network of more than 1,000 nationwide that serves the health care needs of more than 27 million Americans annually.
It opened on January 9, 2018, and offers primary care for all ages, comprehensive well-child care and pediatrics, dental care, women’s health care, complementary medicine, behavioral health services, treatment for addiction, including medication-assisted treatment for alcohol and opioid use, tobacco cessation, outpatient services and recovery supports.
