Bronx Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda and The Institute For Family Health Celebrate the Renovation and Expansion of the former Soundview Healthcare Clinic
Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda joined with officials of the Institute for Family Health and its Stevenson Family Health Center in Soundview, the Bronx, on Thursday, Sept. 8 to announce major funding to the health center for its renovation and expansion.
Assemblyman Sepulveda, in collaboration with Senator Diaz, is providing $250,000 in state funding to the clinic at 731 White Plains Road for equipment, furniture, computers and telephones as it continues major renovations and expansion.
Residents of Soundview, Parkchester and West Farms were facing the loss of affordable health care services when the Soundview Healthcare Network run by former State Senator Pedro Espada closed in the summer of 2012.
The Institute for Family Health, a private non-profit which runs a number of clinics in the Bronx, Manhattan and Mid-Hudson Valley, quickly stepped in to secure the building lease, began serving the displaced patients and commenced extensive renovations and expansion.
“I have major concerns for the health of the people of my district, many of them low-income and poor who have a number of health issues,” said Assemblyman Sepulveda. “Quality health care is critical, and I had major concerns after the closing of the Soundview Healthcare clinic.
“Thankfully, The Institute for Family Health quickly stepped in to save the day. I can’t say enough about the excellent service it now provides to my constituents,” he said. “This funding will hopefully contribute to strengthening that service even more as the clinic completes its renovations and expansion.”
“I join with my legislative colleague in praising the wide variety of health care services the Stevenson Family Health Center provides to the constituents of my district,” Senator Diaz said in a statement. “I am proud to be a strong supporter of their efforts in their renovation and expansion.”
Dr. Neil Calman, president and CEO of the Institute for Family Health, said, “I am thrilled by the support we have received from Assesmblymember Sepulveda. His efforts to obtain funds to help furnish and equip the Stevenson Family Health Center speak to his commitment to the Soundview community and his understanding of the importance of access to primary health care. We are very appreciative and will honor that commitment by providing community residents with the best care possible.”
“This center is so important to the community, which is really very isolated geographically,” said Dr. Alba Pumarol, who has served as the center’s medical director since the Institute opened it in 2012. “It is so much better now — we have 30 exam rooms and seven dental chairs. Soon we will have eight counseling rooms and an immediate care suite. I believe the new rooms, with the new furnishings and equipment, make a real difference in how patients feel. We are very grateful to Assemblymember Sepulveda for his help.”
The Stevenson Family Health Center primarily serves residents of the Soundview, Parkchester and West Farms neighborhoods (zip codes 10460, 10462, 10472, and 10473), which are designated as Medically Underserved Areas and Health Professional Shortage Areas.
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