What do you get when you combine a brand new health center, a credit union and a relocated homeless clinic? Toledo’s newly opened Nexus Healthcare complex, a state-of-the-art facility made possible through tax credit financing via LISC’s Healthy Futures Fund. The colorful, welcoming space houses a range of health and social services, all adjacent to mass transit.
The excerpt below is from:
New health-care facility unveiled
By Lauren Lindstrom, The Blade
Neighborhood Health Association showed off its new Nexus Health Care center in the UpTown neighborhood Tuesday with a grand opening ceremony and tour of the facilities.
The 43,000 square-foot medical facility at 1415 Jefferson Ave. offers a variety of services, including pediatrics, dental, women’s health, and primary care. It is also the new home of the Mildred Bayer Homeless Health Care clinic, which moved from its previous location, also on Jefferson Avenue.
Several local officials were on hand to dedicate the facility, including Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo), and Neighborhood Health Association CEO Doni Miller.
“I’m really excited to have this kind of facility in our community that is designed to serve absolutely everybody,” Ms. Miller said. “It’s important that people, no matter who they are, feel valued and honored. And this facility does that.”
The new building, which features plenty of natural light and bright colors in the exam rooms and common areas, is the 14th location operated by the health association.
Among the improvements at the new homeless clinic: a sheltered waiting area with benches outside for those who arrive before the clinic opens, showers, washing machines, and a clothes and hygienic item pantry.
It offers medical, dental, and vision services free of charge for homeless adults.
The new building also houses a pharmacy for NHA patients, offers a cafe — which will soon operate a job retention educational program — and a branch of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union. Ms. Miller said having the credit union as a partner will help patients gain access to financial options and avoid predatory lending operations.
A new after-hours clinic, which will offer primary care by appointment and walk-ins during late afternoon and evening hours, will open in January.
Clifford Brown, son of NHA board of trustees president Harry Brown Sr., for whom the new after-hours clinic is named, lauded the new facility during its dedication.
“This organization has been blessed with an awesome resource and building,” he said. By taking on his father’s name, Mr. Brown said, it issued a challenge “that we will embrace as a mission ... that all who come into these walls will feel welcome, receive a smile, and be treated with decency and respect; that we will continue to fight for those in need and they will know that they are a priority and feel safe.”
The after-hours clinic is slated to operate from 2 to 10 p.m. and offer adult and pediatric primary care.
“If you work during the day, you don’t have to take time off of work to see the doctor,” said Bonita Johnson, director of facilities.
The $11.2 million project was funded through a $5 million federal grant and tax credit financing through Local Initiatives Support Corporation, or LISC. The building sits on a lot formerly occupied by Taylor Cadillac. Taylor Automotive donated the property to the Lucas County Land Bank, from which NHA acquired it. Continued[+]...