Ribbon cutting on December 8th

The new Sun River Health Center opened its doors at 14 Lawton St. in downtown New Rochelle in September.  A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Sun River Health will provide comprehensive medical and behavioral health services to New Rochelle residents of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay. 

Sun River Health’s commitment to the communities it serves is reflected in its history and its mission to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care and improve the health status of communities, especially the underserved and vulnerable.  The organization receives federal funding to help it meet the often complex healthcare needs of its ethnically and racially diverse patient population.  The federal funding enables it to provide care to all who seek it, regardless of insurance or documentation status.   

According to Nalini Purvis, Chief of Community Engagement, Diversity, and Inclusion at Sun River Health, “If someone comes in and they don’t have insurance, we will connect them to insurance enrollment services. If someone comes in and they are ineligible for coverage, we provide services on a sliding fee scale. We ask for income and family size information to determine the cost of the visit. No one is turned away from care. In addition, we offer a prescription assistance program to support access to medication if a patient does not have the funds to cover their prescriptions.” 

The Health Center is currently open 3 days a week, and as demand for care grows, more days and potentially extended hours will be added. 

Sun River Health was founded in 1975 by four African American mothers to address the lack of accessible and affordable health care services in Peekskill, NY.  Since then, the organization has grown to 49 locations throughout the Hudson Valley, Long Island and New York City  Today, Sun River remains committed to addressing disparities in health care by connecting underserved individuals to high-quality care and making that care available for everyone. 

Sun River offers a wide range of services, including support for social determinants of health through community engagement and partnerships.  Sun River addresses health disparities with a commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).  Many staff have received anti-racist training from the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB), giving them a strong understanding of the intersection of culture and health and the complex needs that accompany health concerns.  

Purvis said the organization had an interest in serving New Rochelle because studies showed that many New Rochelle residents were not getting their medical needs met.  Purvis said that data revealed a high percentage of residents with risk factors for poor health outcomes due to economic, cultural, and/or linguistic barriers to accessing health care services or lack of familiarity with the health care delivery system.  

Sun River engaged in extensive discussion and collaboration with key stakeholders in New Rochelle to ensure that Sun River would be welcomed and could be helpful to the community.  The staff has arrived with the desire to be a part of the community and to understand the community’s trends and needs.  As needs evolve, the center will be able to strategically provide services to meet the needs of the whole person, family, and community. 

Purvis stated, “The person is in the center and there are all these other services that we wrap around them to really take care of the whole person.  As part of the healthcare model, there is access to interpretation for over 80 languages, including American Sign Language and Spanish Sign Language. In addition, the Health Center has a Health Home program which provides comprehensive case management services and connects the patient to various resources needed.  As a licensed “Article 28” facility in New York State, behavioral health services are integrated into care with screening for depression and access to a social worker in person or via telehealth if needed.  

Sun River Health’s unique, community collaborative, person-centered social/medical justice approach to health care is a great addition to New Rochelle and will provide support and care to individuals and families that could not otherwise get the care they need. The staff continues to engage in efforts to collaborate with the community.  They are open to attending community meetings, town halls, Board of Ed meetings and any other forums where community members congregate so they can raise awareness of the medical and behavioral health services they will make available to everyone.  

Sun River Health plans to hold its formal ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, December 8th, at 2 pm.  

You can visit their website at https://www.sunriver.org.