Access Community Health Network, the largest network of community health centers in the nation, welcomed Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL-6th) Tuesday, July 22nd as he announced a $238,755 grant for ACCESS Martin T. Russo Family Health Center. The funds will be used to expand mental health services at the health center, which is located in Bloomingdale, IL.
“ACCESS is committed to providing services for those who need it, and we are striving to meet the need for affordable, as well as culturally and linguistically sensitive, comprehensive primary care in an ever growing community,” said ACCESS Deputy Medical Officer Tariq Butt. “This federal funding will allow ACCESS to further address racial and ethnic health care disparities, especially around behavioral health issues.”
ACCESS Martin T. Russo Family Health Center handles more than 1,400 patient visits monthly, with more than 5,643 patients during 2007. These patients speak more than 10 languages and come from more than half a dozen ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, in 2007, more than 45 percent of the approximately 17,000 patient encounters at ACCESS Martin T. Russo Family Health Center were for uninsured patients.
ACCESS CEO Donna Thompson is excited to see the addition of new services at the health center. “We are committed to continuing to work with DuPage County to tighten the safety net so that more people can find a health care home near them,” Thompson said. “And not only a health care home but a place that offers services around all their needs, be they routine or specialized.”
During his 13 years in the Illinois General Assembly, Roskam devoted considerable energies to improving health care quality, access and affordability and now brings those priorities to his new role as Congressman.
"We must continue to expand healthcare access, so our families have available the best technology, doctors and facilities," said Congressman Roskam. "With this funding, Access Community Health Network will be able to help patients of all ages through an array of mental health services, including psychiatry, psychology and social work."
ACCESS Martin T. Russo Family Health Center provides comprehensive primary and preventive health care to patients in DuPage County, including the suburbs of Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, Wheaton and Hanover Park.
A short tour of the facility and reception followed the presentation ceremony.
Access Community Health Network is comprised of 50 Joint Commission accredited community health centers throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. It provides high quality, cost effective, safe, comprehensive primary and preventive health care to more than 210,000 individual patients annually, one-third of whom are uninsured. Visit the website at accesscommunityhealth.net.
For more information about this location or other ACCESS health centers or programs in your community, please call Elaine Hegwood Bowen, Media Coordinator, at 773.257.6599; email: bowen@accesscommunityhealth.net or call the toll free number at 1.866.88.ACCESS.