{"id":42704,"date":"2024-04-15T10:10:27","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T14:10:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=42704"},"modified":"2024-04-15T10:10:28","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T14:10:28","slug":"new-equity-health-center-and-website-provide-better-access-to-healthcare-in-coatesville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=42704","title":{"rendered":"New Equity Health Center and Website provide better access to healthcare in Coatesville"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

L to R: PA State Rep. Dan Williams; Kevin Ressler, President and CEO of The Alliance for Health Equity; Moira Gassenmeyer, Equity Health Center Coordinator; Linda Lavender-Norris, President of Coatesville City Council; Susan Harris, President and CEO of ChesPenn Health Services<\/p><\/div>\n

Community members from the Greater Coatesville area got a first-hand look at the Equity Health Center<\/a>\u00a0(EHC) and met representatives from multiple providers during EHC\u2019s Ribbon Cutting and Open House on Thursday, April 11, at the new center located at 744 East Lincoln Highway, 4th<\/sup> floor, in the Brandywine Center in Coatesville.<\/p>\n

Pennsylvania State Rep. Dan Williams; Chester County Commissioners\u2019 Chair Josh Maxwell; Community Partner Rev. Dr. Linwood Smith Jr.; President and CEO of ChesPenn Health Services Susan Harris; President and CEO of The Alliance for Health Equity (The AHE) Kevin Ressler; and Equity Health Center Coordinator for The AHE Moira Gassenmeyer welcomed attendees and introduced them to the services and resources available in-person at EHC\u2019s location as well as virtually through its website Equityhealthcenter.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Founded in 2023, Equity Health Center is a collaboration between The Alliance for Health Equity and The Health Equity Group (formerly the Greater Coatesville Hospital Closure Group). Financial support for EHC comes from the Chester County Commissioners\u2019 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.<\/p>\n

Speaking on behalf of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, Chair Josh Maxwell said, \u201cSupport for the Equity Health Center was a perfect fit for the purpose of the County\u2019s ARPA funds because it will benefit so many people in Coatesville and the surrounding area. It has always been the mission of The Alliance for Health Equity to provide access to quality health care for everyone in and around this City, and the closing of Brandywine Hospital spurred on community collaboration that has resulted in this Equity Health Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe County did not hesitate to invest in this Center, and we will continue to work with The Alliance for Health Equity and partners to strengthen this community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The goal of EHC is to build an integrated healthcare ecosystem to meet the needs of all residents in the Greater Coatesville area. EHC\u2019s physical location on the 4th floor of the Brandywine Center co-locates partners such as Community Volunteers in Medicine, who serve those without insurance. This joins the preexisting dental and medical services provided by ChesPenn on the first floor, primarily funded by grants from The Alliance for Health Equity, and affordable senior living facilities on the second and third floor, also supported by The AHE.<\/p>\n

Through its website, Equityhealthcenter.org<\/a>, it also provides digital access to health services and a wide range of resources to help eliminate barriers to accessing health services.<\/p>\n

\u201cEquity Health Center provides a great opportunity to address health care needs in the Greater Coatesville area,\u201d says Rev. Dr. Linwood Smith, Jr., Community Partner. \u201cAccessibility has been a critical issue since the closing of Tower Health\u2019s Brandywine Hospital. Now, within walking distance for many residents, quality health care, dental and many other services that normally would not be in reach are readily available.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event included free blood pressure screenings, facility tours, free raffle prizes and refreshments, as well as the opportunity to meet representatives from the following care providers:<\/p>\n