Northwest Litchfield County, CT, February 23, 2024 — Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC), the sole Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive services in the northwest corner of Connecticut, announces significant financial support for its transformative initiative – the launch of a new regional health care center in North Canaan offering integrated medical and behavioral health services, set to open in Spring 2024. This initiative aims to address the pressing crisis in rural healthcare, including the lack of providers, limited access to care, and transportation challenges, impacting both financially stable families and those less fortunate.
Foundation for Community Health (FCH): The Foundation for Community Health (FCH) has generously contributed $1.3 million for the purchase of the property and project needs; and an additional $650,000 toward startup costs – adding to a $3M bond secured with the help of Representative Maria Horn from the state of CT toward construction. This marks nearly 20 years of FCH's continued commitment to making this initiative a reality. Nancy Heaton, FCH President and CEO, emphasized, "CHWC's impact aligns seamlessly with FCH's mission to improve health, well-being, and equity in our communities. Our longstanding partnership with CHWC reflects our dedication to supporting vital initiatives that address the root causes of health disparities." Nancy Heaton, the primary architect behind this effort, expressed her endorsement of CHWC and its CEO Joanne Borduas. "As we mark FCH's 20th anniversary, there's no better way to celebrate than by fulfilling our vision of supporting CHWC's new regional healthcare center to address our rural healthcare crisis." Sharon Hospital/Nuvance Health: Nuvance Health/Sharon Hospital has joined with FCH in contributing to this initiative. Nuvance has pledged a multi-year $650,000 total gift to include $300,000 in funding and an additional $350,000 of in-kind services. This strategic partnership emphasizes collaborative strategies for mutual and community benefit. The alliance aims to enhance value, availability, and appropriateness of care for the entire community, especially those at higher risk for avoidable care. Sharon Hospital President Christina McCulloch stated, “This partnership represents Sharon Hospital and Nuvance Health’s commitment to increasing access to primary care services and improving the coordination of care in our region. We are thrilled to support Community Health & Wellness as an important community asset.” Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF)/Fund for the Northwest Corner: Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has contributed $155,000, including $40,000 from its Fund for the Northwest Corner, to bolster this vital initiative by providing funds to support physician recruitment and strategic planning to launch a development program that will be critical to expanding and sustaining the health center. CHWC's CEO Joanne Borduas expressed gratitude, saying, "The support from the Foundation for Community Health, Sharon Hospital/Nuvance Health, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, and The Fund for the Northwest Corner is a testament to our shared commitment to community health. This major funding will significantly impact the well-being of our residents and support our mission to provide comprehensive, accessible healthcare services." As CHWC moves forward with this groundbreaking project, the organization is eager to engage with the community, honor its dedicated supporters, and motivate additional partners to join this transformative endeavor. For media inquiries or more information about this announcement, please contact: Kimberly Rock Communications Consultant/Strategic Advisor Community Health & Wellness Center kimberlyrock@me.com About Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC): Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) is an award-winning 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and the sole Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) in the northwest corner of Connecticut, providing comprehensive services. CHWC delivers a range of integrated healthcare services, including medical, dental, chiropractic, nutrition, podiatry, and behavioral health, as well as an in-house lab and pharmacy. CHWC participates with most state and commercial insurance plans, utilizing a sliding fee scale to ensure accessibility for individuals of all financial backgrounds. Serving over 6,000 patients, CHWC operates health centers in Torrington, Winsted, and a newly built center in North Canaan. The organization extends its impact by offering physical and mental health services through school-based health centers in all Torrington schools, with plans to expand to three schools in the Region One school district. About Foundation for Community Health (FCH): Foundation for Community Health works to improve the health, well-being, and equity in our communities. As a funder, community leader, and partner, FCH collaborates with people and organizations to meet its mission through program development, grantmaking, community partnership, and advocacy. FCH serves a rural 17-town region where northwest Connecticut and the Greater Harlem Valley meet. About Sharon Hospital and Nuvance Health: Nuvance Health is a regional health system with seven hospitals including Sharon Hospital, medical practices, care centers, and telehealth care located throughout Western Connecticut and New York’s Hudson Valley. Sharon Hospital, is a CMS Five-Star 78-bed general hospital located in northwestern Connecticut, is committed to providing compassionate healthcare. About Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) and The Fund for the Northwest Corner: Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has strengthened communities through philanthropy and leadership in northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY. The Fund for the Northwest Corner is an endowed area fund of BTCF and supports strategic initiatives that can have a lasting impact on the quality of life for residents of northwest Litchfield County, CT. Community Health and Wellness Center Appoints Kelly Baxter Spitz as Director of Development1/17/2024
[Northwest Litchfield County, CT, January 16, 2024] – Community Health and Wellness Center (CHWC), the northwest corner of Connecticut's sole Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive services, announces Kelly Baxter Spitz as its new Director of Development. This strategic appointment underscores CHWC's commitment to sustainable growth and enhancing healthcare access across the region. Kelly Baxter Spitz, a highly respected development professional, will join CHWC in January, bringing with her a proven track record in philanthropy and a dedicated career spent establishing authentic and lasting relationships with philanthropists in the region and nationally. Joanne Borduas, CEO of CHWC, expressed her enthusiasm about the new addition to the team, stating, "Kelly's appointment is a significant step towards realizing our vision of bringing high-quality healthcare to the residents of the northwest corner of Connecticut. Her expertise and passion for health equity align seamlessly with CHWC's mission. Together, we look forward to expanding access and building a stronger, healthier community, particularly by improving health outcomes and increasing accessibility for all." Kelly's appointment comes at a crucial juncture for CHWC as an organization. In recent years, government funding for community health centers has become less consistent. As a response, CHWC is proactively diversifying its revenue sources and positioning itself for sustainable growth to support our rural communities. Kelly's leadership at Volunteers in Medicine in Great Barrington, MA, where she played a pivotal role in launching a $10 million campaign, highlights her ability to drive successful fundraising initiatives. Her dedication to health equity as a human right makes her a perfect fit for CHWC's mission. "I am honored to join CHWC and believe that everyone should have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their financial circumstances. I look forward to collaborating with Joanne Borduas and the entire CHWC team to expand access to healthcare for the residents of the northwest corner of Connecticut," says Kelly. This appointment sets the stage for CHWC's commitment to strengthening its philanthropic efforts as it explores new avenues of community support. Kelly will play a crucial role in driving CHWC's mission to provide quality healthcare to the region. For media inquiries or more information about this announcement, please contact: Kimberly Rock Communications Consultant/Strategic Advisor Community Health and Wellness Center kimberlyrock@me.com About Community Health and Wellness Center (CHWC): Community Health and Wellness Center (CHWC) is an award-winning 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and the sole Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) in the northwest corner of Connecticut, providing comprehensive services. CHWC delivers a range of integrated healthcare services, including medical, dental, chiropractic, nutrition, podiatry, and behavioral health, as well as an in-house lab and pharmacy. CHWC participates with most state and commercial insurance plans, utilizing a sliding fee scale to ensure accessibility for individuals of all financial backgrounds. Serving over 6,000 patients, CHWC operates health centers in Torrington, Winsted, and a newly built center in North Canaan. The organization extends its impact by offering physical and mental health services through school-based health centers in all Torrington schools, with plans to expand to three schools in the Region One school district. https://www.chwctorr.org/ Find us on Facebook at: communityhealthandwellnesscenter Grants will support training for community health workers.
Race, Ethnicity, and Language Data Grants HARTFORD, CT, Dec. 21, 2023--These grants are intended to support health care organizations implementing standardized collection of patients’ self-reported data on race, ethnicity, and language preference (REL). This data is important for identifying and addressing disparities in care and outcomes. Community Health and Wellness Center of Greater Torrington, Torrington, $48,200 This grant will be used to conduct community and staff focus groups to help understand the barriers to collecting REL data. Training will also be provided to staff and board members about REL data. Data collected from focus groups will then be used to build a community-focused campaign about the community health center’s REL data collection. TORRINGTON, CT, October 26—Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) announces the appointment of Dr. Joohan Lee, DDS, to its expanding dental department.
Dr. Lee received his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY. His areas of expertise include: preventative dentistry; restorative dentistry; pediatric and geriatric dentistry; periodontic procedures; endodontic treatment; oral surgery; cosmetic dentistry; PFM and Zirconia crowns and fixed partial prostheses; and management of medically compromised patients. Dr. Lee focuses on being gentle and making patients feel relaxed. “I have a lot of empathy for my patients and my approach is to treat them as members of my own family,” Lee states. “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lee to our dental team,” said Joanne Borduas, CEO of CHWC. “Our growing dental practice serves the need in our community for access to high quality, compassionate dental care.” TORRINGTON, CT, September 27—Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) announces the appointment of Chris Martinez as its Information Technology Director.
Martinez has held significant roles as a Level 3 Information Technology Engineer, an independent Information Technology Consultant, and Information Technology Director. Martinez comes to CHWC with an extensive background in Information Technology Management and a strong focus on Electronic Healthcare Records (EHR) systems. His areas of expertise also encompass IT budget administration, project management, database management, vendor management, and cybersecurity and network engineering to secure network infrastructures and safeguard sensitive data. Martinez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology from The State University of New York and an Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering from Hudson Valley Community College. He is eager to leverage his skills and experience to drive technology initiatives that align with CHWC’s overarching business goals. “I am pleased to welcome Chris Martinez to our team,” says Joanne Borduas, CEO. “He is an accomplished professional and will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing growth and success of Community Health and Wellness.” TORRINGTON, CT, March 2—Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) announces the appointment of Dr. Victoria Massey, D.M.D., as the center’s new Associate Dental Director.
Dr. Massey is accomplished in the practice of General Dentistry. She is an alumna of UConn, graduating from the University of Connecticut in the dual degree B.S./D.M.D. Program and the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. In addition, Dr. Massey completed an AEGD Residency at New York University Langone at Holyoke Community Health Center. The recipient of awards for both teaching and service, she is core dental faculty for UConn Health’s Urban Service Track. Her passions include patient advocacy, vulnerable populations, and social determinants of health. Dr. Massey also loves working with children and practicing pediatric dentistry. “As a practitioner, I enjoy taking care of the vulnerable populations like the ones I grew up with and dedicate myself to offering quality, consistent healthcare,” said Dr. Massey. “I make patients comfortable by giving the best of myself, listening to their concerns, and tailoring treatment to what they need, always in keeping with my values as a provider.” “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Massey as our new Associate Dental Director,” said Joanne Borduas, CEO of CHWC. “She is a very compassionate provider, and a wonderful addition to our dental team who is expanding our range of dental services offered at our Winsted office.” COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS CELEBRATES SELECTION AS STOP & SHOP COMMUNITY BAG PROGRAM BENEFICIARY9/28/2022
TORRINGTON, CT, September 28—Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) has been selected as a beneficiary of the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program for the month of October.
The Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, which launched in May 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work. CHWC was selected as the October 2022 beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Stop & Shop located at 211 High Street in Torrington. The Center will receive a $1 donation every time a $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at this location during October, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag. “We are honored that our local Stop & Shop recognizes the contributions we make to the community,” said Joanne Borduas, CEO of CHWC. “The funds we receive from its Community Bag Program will benefit the patients we are dedicated to serving.” To learn more about CHWC, visit www.communityhealthandwellness.org and follow the center on Facebook. ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER In a compassionate, patient-centered environment, CHWC services are accessible and provided without discrimination, with cultural competence, and where all people matter regardless of their ability to pay. CHWC offers healthcare services to over 6,000 underserved patients throughout Northwest CT, including medical, dental, chiropractic, nutritional, podiatry, and behavioral health services, as well as offering an on-site pharmacy. It strives to achieve the reputation of “provider of choice” for affordable, high-quality services that achieve positive patient outcomes in a welcoming and caring environment. CHWC is located at 469 Migeon Avenue, Torrington, and 10 Center Street, Winsted, with plans to open a third center on property it purchased in Canaan. CHWC also serves the following satellite locations: FISH of Torrington, 332 South Main Street, Torrington; Sullivan Senior Center, 88 East Albert Street, Torrington; The Open Door Soup Kitchen, 160 Main Street, Winsted; YMCA Emergency Shelter, 480 Main Street, Winsted; Torrington Soup Kitchen, 220 Prospect Street, Torrington; and Oliver Wolcott Technical School, 75 Oliver Street, Torrington. CHWC contact information: www.chwchealth.org, on Facebook, and by phone at 860-489-0931. COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER RECEIVES TWO HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION AWARDS9/7/2022
TORRINGTON, CT, September 1—Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) has received two awards from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that oversees the country’s more than 1,300 health centers. HRSA is the primary federal agency for improving health care for people who are geographically isolated, and/or economically or medically underserved.
A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), CHWC received a Uniform Data System (UDS) Quality Award for “Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality Improvement.” UDS is an annual reporting system that provides standardized information about the performance and operation of health centers delivering health care services to underserved communities and vulnerable populations. CHWC also received an award recognizing its Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) status. The Patient-Centered Medical home is a model of care that empathizes patient engagement and patient participation in decision making for their plan of care. PCMH practices build better relationships between patients and their clinical care teams, and practices that earn recognition have made a commitment to continuous quality improvement and a patient-centered approach to care. “We are extremely honored to have received these two awards,” said Joanne Borduas, CEO of CHWC. “CHWC continues to rise to the challenges of the pandemic, and I am proud of our dedicated staff for the critical role they play in enabling us to provide compassionate, high-quality, patient-centered care. They consistently go above and beyond, making us a recognized center of excellence that offers integrated healthcare services to the Northwest region of Connecticut.” ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER In a compassionate, patient-centered environment, CHWC services are accessible and provided without discrimination, with cultural competence, and where all people matter regardless of their ability to pay. CHWC offers healthcare services to over 6,000 underserved patients throughout Northwest CT, including medical, dental, chiropractic, nutritional, podiatry, and behavioral health services, as well as offering an on-site pharmacy. It strives to achieve the reputation of “provider of choice” for affordable, high-quality services that achieve positive patient outcomes in a welcoming and caring environment. CHWC is located at 469 Migeon Avenue, Torrington, and 10 Center Street, Winsted, with plans to open a third center on property in purchased in Canaan. CHWC also serves the following satellite locations: FISH of Torrington, 332 South Main Street, Torrington; Sullivan Senior Center, 88 East Albert Street, Torrington; The Open Door Soup Kitchen, 160 Main Street, Winsted; YMCA Emergency Shelter, 480 Main Street, Winsted; Torrington Soup Kitchen, 220 Prospect Street, Torrington; and Oliver Wolcott Technical School, 75 Oliver Street, Torrington. TORRINGTON, CT--Community Health & Wellness Center’s (CHWC) Diabetes Education Program has achieved the significant milestone of accreditation by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). Accreditation represents a high level of quality and service to the community, and the ability to better meet the needs of Medicare recipients and others affected by diabetes in the Northwest corner.
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