October 30, 2024

Lowell CHC Expands Access to Care with New Pharmacy and Enhanced Patient Walk-In Center

Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) is excited to announce the official opening of its new in-house pharmacy and the expansion of its Patient Walk-In Center. Located on the newly renovated first floor at 161 Jackson Street, these updates reflect a significant commitment to meeting the growing healthcare needs of the community.

While the Patient Walk-In Center has long provided vital immediate care, the recent renovations enhance its capacity and functionality. The pharmacy, is a brand-new service, established to ensure that Greater Lowell residents continue to have convenient access to essential medication services following the closure of a large national chain pharmacy.

Faced with the prospect of leaving patients at risk of a pharmacy desert, Lowell CHC moved quickly to create a fully operational pharmacy, completing the project in just under one year. This action ensured that patients and the public could continue to access critical pharmacy services close to home.

“We knew that stepping up was the only option,” said Susan West Levine, CEO of Lowell Community Health Center. “Our patients depend on us for their health, and we could not let them down. This new pharmacy goes beyond filling prescriptions; it’s about breaking down barriers to accessing care and enhancing the overall patient experience.”

“For over half a century, Lowell Community Health Center has not only provided vital care but has grown alongside this community, standing as a beacon of health, compassion, and inclusivity,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “The opening of the health center’s expanded patient walk-in center and the new in-house pharmacy are critical to fulfilling Lowell CHC’s commitment to accessible, timely care. Lowell Community Health Center’s journey from an apartment-based clinic all those years ago to the thriving facility it is today is more than a story of growth – it’s a testament to the strength of our community and the power of a shared commitment to care.”

Click Here For Congresswoman Lori Trahan’s Full Remarks At The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

State Senator Ed Kennedy stated, “Affordable healthcare is a human right, and I am proud to support initiatives such as the Lowell Community Health Center’s new pharmacy and Walk-In Center that allow more residents of the First Middlesex Senate District to receive necessary health services regardless of their financial status.” 

“Making access to healthcare equitable not only means expanding coverage, but also increasing availability for patients to get immediate care when necessary for their health care needs,” said State Representative Vanna Howard (D-Lowell). “Having served on the Lowell Community Health Center Board of Directors, then a staff member, and both my children are longtime patients, I know that in-house pharmacy and a walk-in center on site go a long way towards that goal and which clearly improve patient outcomes in almost every instance.”

“The work of Lowell Community Health Center and its partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels make projects like the new pharmacy and expanded patient walk-in center a reality for our community,” said State Representative Rodney Elliott (D-Lowell). “The commitment of the Lowell Community Health Center team to completing these projects is truly commendable.”

The new pharmacy features state-of-the-art automation technology, including prescription-filling equipment designed to streamline operations. The expanded space—now 1,600 square feet—supports prescription compliance by reducing potential barriers and offering culturally competent services in multiple languages. Additionally, this expansion reinforces Lowell CHC’s mission of providing wrap-around, patient-centered care to more than 36,000 patients who choose to call the health center their health care home.

The enhanced Patient Walk-In Center includes a repositioned and significantly enlarged waiting area, additional patient rooms, and improved triage spaces, all designed to meet the growing demand for accessible walk-in care.

The nearly $3.3 million combined investment in the pharmacy and Patient Walk-In Center reflects Lowell CHC’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare. The renovation of the Patient Walk-In Center was funded through federal and state grants, while the new pharmacy was supported by board-approved reserve funds. This project is another step in Lowell CHC’s nearly 55-year tradition of breaking ground on new initiatives to meet ever evolving patient and community needs.

October 23, 2024

Lowell CHC Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer and New Chief of Staff

Lowell, MA (October 23, 2024) — Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) is pleased to announce two new additions to its Executive Leadership Team: Patrick Curtin as Chief Financial Officer and Bawo Ebigbeyi as Chief of Staff.

Patrick Curtin, MHA, FACHE, LSSBB, brings extensive experience in healthcare finance and management. Most recently, he served as System Vice President of Finance & Revenue Cycle at North Country Healthcare in New Hampshire. Patrick has a strong background in supporting Federally Qualified Health Centers in Massachusetts (FQHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals, with a proven record of improving financial operations and enhancing community health initiatives.

Bawo Ebigbeyi, MBA, CPA, brings a wealth of experience in healthcare strategy and business performance to Lowell CHC. She previously worked at Anthem Inc., where she led strategic planning and helped develop a Health Equity framework for a Medicaid Health Plan business unit with over $11 billion in revenue. Prior to that, she contributed to the Clinton Health Access Initiative, working on efforts to improve health outcomes for children in Nigeria.

“We are thrilled to welcome both Patrick and Bawo to our Executive Leadership Team,” said Susan West Levine, CEO of Lowell CHC. “Patrick’s extensive expertise in healthcare finance and operations will be key as we strengthen our post-COVID financial foundation and expand services like our new pharmacy. Bawo’s experience in strategic planning and health equity will be critical in leading our organizational strategy and performance, ensuring that our health center continues to meet the needs of our community.”

Patrick and Bawo will work closely with the rest of the leadership team to help advance the health center’s strategic goals, including supporting the ongoing launch of the new Lowell Community Health Center Pharmacy, as well as supporting the financial planning and implementation of the Family Medicine Residency Program and the Health Justice Learning Institute. The Family Medicine Residency Program is a future initiative that will train the next generation of healthcare providers with a focus on community health, while the Health Justice Learning Institute will provide training and education to promote health equity and create youth health career pathways.

“I’m looking forward to helping Lowell CHC grow and succeed by building a strong financial foundation that supports our vision for the future,” said Patrick Curtin. “My immediate focus is on ensuring a smooth launch of the new pharmacy so that our patients receive the best possible service. In the longer term, I’m eager to contribute to initiatives like the Family Medicine Residency Program and the Health Justice Learning Institute, where we can create pathways for people to enter health careers.”

“I’m thrilled to join Lowell CHC and be part of a team that’s truly committed to making quality healthcare accessible for all,” said Bawo Ebigbeyi. “I’m inspired by the impact our health center has on our community and humbled to support that purpose by ensuring strong organizational performance. By focusing on strategic goals—like empowering youth and addressing social determinants of health through the Health Justice Learning Institute, and developing the Family Medicine Residency Program to train future providers who truly understand our community—I am committed to advancing our purpose.”

About Lowell Community Health Center: Lowell Community Health Center, established in 1970, is the healthcare home of choice for more than 36,000 individuals in Greater Lowell. Central to our mission lies a strong commitment to offering comprehensive and culturally responsive healthcare services, ensuring that every patient receives the care they need, regardless of financial status.