Sunday , 16 February 2025

Lorain County Health & Dentistry Cuts Ribbon at North Ridgeville Health Center

Lorain County’s only safety-net provider of medical and dental care officially opens 7,750 SF Community Health Center at 35557 Center Ridge Road.

For 22 years, Lorain County Health & Dentistry (LCH&D) has delivered high quality primary and preventive health care throughout Lorain County to all persons regardless of ability to pay. On August 22, LCH&D held a Ribbon Cutting Event to celebrate the July opening of a comprehensive Community Health Center at 35557 Center Ridge Road in North Ridgeville. The one-story, newly constructed facility brings comprehensive primary care, dentistry and integrated behavioral health services into a growing Lorain County community. At full capacity, this clinic will employ 15 professional and support staff.

A non-profit, charitable organization designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center, LCH&D operates six other community health centers in Lorain, Elyria and Oberlin. Services across locations include pediatrics, family medicine, OB/women’s health, pharmacy, podiatry, optometry, dentistry, integrated behavioral health and treatment for substance use disorders. The health center also offers enabling services including language translation/interpretation, access to transportation and care management.

Dr. Kurtis Dornan

“Lorain County Health & Dentistry has a rich history of establishing health centers in neighborhoods where we can make a difference,” said Stephanie Wiersma, LCH&D President & CEO. “During strategic planning in 2022, we identified North Ridgeville as a growing community that would benefit from our excellent, yet affordable, clinical services. We are an organization with great vision and a lot of drive and determination. We exist to transform the health of our communities,” said Wiersma.

Many community leaders were present at the Ribbon Cutting, including Mayor Kevin Corcoran who recalled his first meeting with CEO Wiersma when he learned of LCH&D’s plans to construct a health center in his community. “I learned more about local need during that conversation. There is more need here than I had realized,” he acknowledged. Also present were State Senator Nathan Manning and State Representative Gayle Manning who praised the organization for “its remarkable record of service to its patients and their families…and for enhancing the quality of life in our society.” The Honorable Robert E. Latta, Member of Congress, presented LCH&D a flag that was flown over the US Capitol in honor of the opening of the new Center Ridge Health Center in North Ridgeville.

LCH&D slides fees for qualifying insured, uninsured and underinsured patients according to Federal Poverty Guidelines based upon household income, and accepts Medicaid/Medicare and most commercial insurances. Patients do not need to live in Lorain County to access care at any LCH&D site.

In 2023, LCH&D served 18,575 Unduplicated Patients in 63,22 visits. Of these patients, 92% had household income at/below 200% Federal Poverty. For more information about Lorain County Health & Dentistry, or to make an appointment, call (440) 240-1655 or visit us at www.lorainhealth-dentistry.org

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