History

History

Where we are now...

Today, the Health Center serves men, women, and children and operates a $18 million dollar budget. We employ 248 personnel including 30 medical providers and 40 nurses. We have on-site laboratory and radiology services, which are provided by St. Luke's Hospital, for the convenience of our patients. The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center is proud of its strong history protecting the public health through quality, accessible, and culturally competent primary health care. We look forward to a long future continuing to protect the health of the people in the Greater New Bedford community. Read on to learn more about our past and plans for the future, or use the button below to visit our donations page.

A Proud Past and A Promising Future

In 1978, a group of New Bedford citizens had a vision.

Their vision was to create a community health care facility where everyone would receive quality care, regardless of income, insurance or their ability to pay.

One year later, the Coastline Council on Aging awarded the citizens a $10,000 grant to support their vision and the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center was officially incorporated.

In 1981, the Center officially opened its doors to the public with three employees and the help of a $175,000 grant from the Federal Bureau of Primary Health Care.

Today, GNBCHC has had a proud legacy of partnering with patients to manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, heart and lung disease, depression, cancer and HIV/AIDS.

GNBCHC continues to expand with a satellite site at the 135 Marion Road in Wareham, MA.

Stellar Events

1981

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center awarded $175,000 from the Federal Bureau of Primary Health Care to expand health care access to the medically under served.

1984

Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC), a nutrition program for pregnant women, infants, and children opens.

1986

Operating budget funded by state and federal grants, Medicaid, and private insurance tops the $1 million mark and records more than 6,000 visits.

1988

Services at the Health Center expand to include a Teen Clinic.

1990

GNBCHC awarded its first Ryan White grant in the amount of $110K for treatment of patients with HIV.

1992

The Center expands services on site medical specialists and launches the HIV Pediatric Program.

1993

GNBCHC moves to 874 Purchase Street. Operating budget exceeds $4,000,000 and records more than 32,000 patient visits. Receives FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) designation and becomes eligible for enhanced rates for services to the elder population.

1994

Urgent Care added and expands operating hours to include Saturdays.

Access to the health care is expanded through affiliation agreement with Southcoast Hospital System. On-site services expands to include X-Ray Department.

1995

Property at 852 Purchase Street is acquired from Shawmut Bank

1996

Property at 860 Purchase Street is acquired from the City of New Bedford.

1996

GNBCHC is recognized by the national Center for Disease Control (CHC) as the Poster Program for increasing childhood immunization rates to 92% of the population served.

1997

GNBCHC receives The Blue Ribbon for Innovation from the New England Health Care Assembly in recognition of its work with South Coast Hospital System to provide enhanced access to health care services for the medically under served in the Greater New Bedford community.

1998

GNBCHC offers pharmacy assistance to low income uninsured patients through grants from the Federal Drug Pricing Program.

1999

GNBCHC records more than 50,000 medical visits covering more than 20,000 patients from the greater New Bedford area.

GNBHCHC receives accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO).

2000

New Bedford Housing Authority selects GNBCHC as its partner in the HOPE VI project to open satellite clinic for geriatric services at the Caroline Street Apartments.

2001

Awarded a $375K grant to establish a Dental Clinic for low-income residents of the Greater New Bedford community.

GNBHCHC celebrates its 20th anniversary.

2002

Total patients exceed 30,000 (90,000 visits).

2003

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Foundation incorporated. Master Chef George Karousos of the International Culinary Institute, is named Chairman of the Board.

2004

A $500,000 Community Development Block Grant was awarded by the City of New Bedford to build an on-site pharmacy at 874 Purchase Street. A $25,000 grant awarded to complete the sixth and final dental operatory.

2005

The George Karousos Pediatric Center opens

2006

The GNBCHC celebrates its 25th Anniversary

2007

Women's Health/MCH Clinical Unit opens

GNBCHC officially opens its expanded downtown campus providing a greater range of services.

2008

Walgreens on-site pharmacy opens.

GNBCHC selected to participate in the Occupational Health Surveillance program.

2009

GNBCHC awarded $195,000 grant by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation to develop a Chronic disease Intervention Program.

Southcoast Ambulatory Care Clinic transfers patients to GNBCHC.

MHEFA awards $25,000 grant to equip Caroline Street facility to accommodate significant increase in the number of patients.

GNBCHC implements eClinicalWorks' Electronic Medical Record solution.

2010

Dedication of the Laurel A. Miller Center

2011

GNBCHC Serves as Clinical Training Affiliate for UMass Medical

GNBCHC presents seminars on benefits available to senior citizens

2012

MHEFA awards $25,000 to enlarge and renovate the Women's Health Department.

State of Massachusetts awards $102,268 grant to help patients navigate health insurance options.

GNBCHC receives $55,000 of Affordable Care Act funding to increase cervical cancer screenings.

Rose Yates retires as Board Chairperson after 25 years of service.

2013

GNBCHC receives $103,264 of Affordable Care Act funding to enroll patients into health insurance plans.

Art 2 Heart donates works by local artists to hang in waiting rooms.

HRSA review finds GNBCHC to be in compliance with all 19 Health Center Program Requirements.

State awards $131,191 to support health care access projects.

2014

Adult Urgent Care hours were extended to seven days a week.

2015

Urgent Care expanded to include children ages 12years and older.

Wareham facility is opened to provide primary care for all ages, benefits counseling, and Social Worker and Patient Advocate assistance.