December 19, 2024

Health Center Expanding Hours to Better Serve Patients

Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC), the healthcare home of choice for more than 38,000 patients from across Greater Lowell, is pleased to announce expanded hours in its Primary Care Departments beginning January 6, 2025. This change reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of our patients by providing greater flexibility and convenience in accessing care.

Starting January 6, all Primary Care Departments will be open (by appointment):

  • Monday through Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

These expanded hours will allow patients to access primary care services later in the evening, accommodating busy schedules and ensuring more opportunities for care.

The following hours remain unchanged:

  • Lowell CHC Pharmacy:
    Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Patient Walk-In Center:
    Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

The health center remains closed on Sundays.

Lowell CHC offers a wide range of services, including:

  • Primary Care for adults, children, and families
  • Behavioral health and substance use services
  • Vision and dental care
  • School-Based Health Centers
  • Specialty care services, including HIV/AIDS care
  • Health insurance enrollment assistance

For more information about our services or to become a patient, please visit lchealth.org or call 978-937-9700. Lowell Community Health Center welcomes all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

November 21, 2024

Stay Healthy This Winter with Our Tips and Services

With winter approaching, we want to help you stay healthy. Here are tips and resources to keep you and your family well.

Common Winter Illnesses

Common winter illnesses include flu, RSV, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses. Protect yourself by staying up to date with vaccinations and practicing good hygiene.

How to Stay Healthy

  • Get Vaccinated:
    • Vaccine Clinic on November 23 from 9-1: Join our walk-in flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic. No appointment needed. Details are on our website.
    • RSV Vaccine: Ask your Provider if you’re eligible.
    • Contact Your Care Team via MyChart: Ask about vaccines or other questions.
  • Visit Our Walk-In Center:
    • If you’re feeling unwell, come to our Walk-In Center.
    • Practice Good Hygiene:
    • Wash your hands often.
    • Avoid touching your face.
    • Cover coughs and sneezes.
    • Stay home if sick.
  • Keep Your Immune System Strong:
    • Eat healthy foods.
    • Stay active.
    • Get enough sleep.

Why Vaccines Matter

Vaccines protect you and others from illness. They are safe and essential for staying healthy.

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions or need more information:

  • Use the MyChart App: Message your Care Team.
  • Call Us: 978.937.9700.
June 17, 2024

Stay Safe During the Heat Wave

With the upcoming heat wave, it’s important to take extra precautions to stay safe and healthy. High temperatures can be dangerous, especially for young children, older adults, and those with health conditions. Here are some essential safety tips to help you and your loved ones stay cool and safe during this hot weather.

Heat Safety Tips:

  • Wear appropriate clothing: Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to help your body stay cool.
  • Stay cool indoors:
    • Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned places.
    • If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, visit a shopping mall or public library for a few hours.
    • Call your local health department or city/town hall to find heat-relief shelters in your area.
    • Avoid using your stove and oven to maintain a cooler temperature inside your home.
    • Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature.
  • Do not leave kids or anyone else in cars:
    • Cars can heat up quickly to dangerous levels, even with the windows cracked open.
    • Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car.
    • To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
    • Always check to ensure everyone is out of the car before locking it, especially sleeping children.
  • Schedule outdoor activities carefully:
    • Try to limit outdoor activities to cooler times, like early morning or evening.
    • Rest often in shady areas to give your body a chance to cool down.
  • Pace yourself:
    • Reduce exercise during the hottest parts of the day.
    • If you’re not used to the heat, start slowly and increase your activity level gradually.
    • Stop all activity if exertion in the heat makes your heart pound or leaves you gasping for breath. Move to a cool area and rest if you feel lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.
  • Wear sunscreen:
    • Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can cause dehydration.
    • Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside.
    • Reapply sunscreen according to the package directions.
  • Avoid hot and heavy meals: These add heat to your body.
  • Drink plenty of fluids:
    • Drink more fluids than usual, regardless of your activity level.
    • Avoid very sugary or alcoholic drinks, as they can cause you to lose more body fluid.
    • Avoid very cold drinks, as they can cause stomach cramps.
  • Replace salts and minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from your body. A sports drink can help replace them.
  • Keep pets hydrated: Ensure your pets have plenty of fresh water in a shady area.
  • Check for updates: Stay informed by checking local news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips.
  • Use a buddy system: Monitor the condition of those around you and have someone check on you.
    • If you are 65 years or older, have a friend or relative check on you twice a day.
    • Check on high-risk individuals, including infants, young children, older adults, and those with health issues.

Signs of Heat-Related Illness:

  • Heat exhaustion:
    • Heavy sweating
    • Weakness
    • Cold, pale, and clammy skin
    • Fast, weak pulse
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Feeling faint
  • Heat stroke:
    • High body temperature (103°F or higher)
    • Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
    • Fast, strong pulse
    • Confusion
    • Losing consciousness

What to Do If You See Signs of Heat-Related Illness:

  • Heat exhaustion:
    • Move to a cooler location.
    • Lie down and loosen your clothing.
    • Apply cool, wet cloths to your body or take a cool bath.
    • Sip water.
    • Seek medical attention if you vomit, or if symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour.
  • Heat stroke:
    • Call 911 immediately—heat stroke is a medical emergency.
    • Move the person to a cooler environment.
    • Reduce the person’s body temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath.
    • Do not give the person anything to drink.

Remember to check with your local town or city hall to find out where cooling stations are located. Stay safe and keep cool during the heat wave!

For more information visit – CDC Extreme Heat Prevention

September 26, 2023

Dr. Alison Curcio Appointed as Chief of Patient Walk-In Center at Lowell Community Health Center

Lowell Community Health Center is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Alison Curcio as the new Chief of the Patient Walk-In Center. Dr. Curcio brings with her 18 years of frontline emergency medicine experience and specialized training in Simulation Medicine aimed at enhancing patient safety and care quality. She has also previously contributed to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, developing protocols for optimized medication use in Emergency Departments.

Dr. Curcio received her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, completed her medical education at Emory University School of Medicine, and subsequently pursued a residency in Emergency Medicine through the Harvard program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Susan West Levine, CEO of Lowell Community Health Center, praised the appointment, stating, “We are exceptionally fortunate to have Dr. Curcio join our team. With her years of frontline emergency medicine experience and specialized training in Simulation Medicine, she brings significant expertise to our health center. Dr. Curcio will be instrumental in developing a service model that better guides patients to the most appropriate care settings, thereby reducing unnecessary emergency room visits. Her leadership will be key to expanding our Walk-In Center’s services to better meet the healthcare needs of our community.”

Dr. Alison Curcio expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “I am excited to work with such an incredible team at the Patient Walk-In Center, and at the health center, and to be able to continue and expand upon the tremendous services provided by the walk-in center.”

Dr. Kumble Rajesh, Chief Medical Officer of Lowell Community Health Center, highlighted the significance of her expertise, noting, “Dr. Curcio’s vast experience in emergency medicine will be invaluable in optimizing and expanding our services at the Patient Walk-In Center and to the patients we serve.”

About the Patient Walk-In Center

The Patient Walk-In Center offers a range of Immediate Care walk-in services for Lowell Community Health Center patients. Services include, but are not limited to, sick visits, joint injuries, stitches, assistance with sprains and back pain, treatment of skin infections such as poison ivy, non-severe allergy management, ear lavage, and on-the-spot testing for conditions like COVID-19, pregnancy, urinary infections, vaginal infections, sore throats, and flu.

Click Here – To learn about the Patient Walk-In Center and its hours.

April 21, 2023

Notice to Patients: Ending of Public Health Emergency

Dear Lowell Community Health Center Patients, 
 
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends on May 11, 2023. The Public Health Emergency allowed special permissions to health providers to care for you and your family during the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Here is some information about what this change means for you at Lowell Community Health Center, starting May 12, 2023. Guidelines from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are still being finalized, and we will provide additional updates as necessary. 
 
Masks: 

As of May 12, masks will no longer be required within Lowell Community Health Center. Masks are strongly recommended for anyone with a cough, fever, sneezing, shortness of breath, or with other symptoms. 

Masks are available in the health center at all times if you are more comfortable wearing one for medical or personal reasons. 

Prescriptions: 
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, patients have been able to get controlled substances during a virtual care phone or video visit. Examples of controlled substances include:  

  • Opioid pain medications (for example: oxycodone) 
  • Anxiety medications (for example: clonazepam) 
  • Sleep medications (for example: zolpidem) 
  • Other medications (for example: phentermine for weight loss)  

Starting on May 12, if you take these medications regularly, you may need to have an in-person visit to continue getting them. Your care team will contact you if you need an in-person visit to renew your medications. 
 
Also starting May 12, patients may need to see their provider in-person before starting controlled substances for the first time. 
 
COVID-19 Vaccines: 
Insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid (Mass Health), will continue to cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines after the Public Health Emergency ends. There may be a co-pay for your vaccine, depending on your insurance plan. 
 
Check with your insurance company if you have questions about the cost of a COVID-19 vaccine. 
 
COVID-19 Testing: 
Tests ordered by a provider – Your insurance company will continue to cover the cost of COVID-19 testing when a provider orders the test, if you have been exposed or have symptoms. Elective testing, such as for travel, may not be covered. 

At-home testing – Most insurance companies will no longer reimburse you for buying at-home COVID-19 tests. If you want to purchase at-home COVID-19 tests before insurance reimbursements end, you can do so at your local pharmacy or online.  

You can still order free at-home COVID-19 tests from the government until the end of the Public Health Emergency. See www.covid.gov/tests for more information. 

COVID-19 Treatment and Therapies: 
There is no change in coverage for COVID-19 treatment. If you are paying a deductible or cost share for these treatments now, then you will continue to pay these costs after the end of the Public Health Emergency. 

If you have any questions, please contact us on your MyChart app, through our website lchealth.org, or by calling 978.937.9700. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Kumble Rajesh, Chief Medical Officer & Dr. Elizabeth Hale, Chief Operating Officer

Parking Alert For The Edward Early Garage (across from the Health Center)

UPDATE (4/14/23): Maintenance Work Now Expected To Last Through May 1st.

Notice from the City of Lowell: The second-floor left side parking spaces will be closed for maintenance from Friday April 7, 2023 until Friday April 14, 2023. Please use caution while driving on the right side as it will be utilized as both an entrance and exit during this period. Garage staff reminds us that the speed limit is 5 miles per hour in the garage. Anyone parking on the left side in the cordoned off maintenance area will be towed at their own expense.

March 21, 2023
Dr. Daza Nunez

Lowell CHC Places High Priority on Childhood Literacy

Dr. Daza Nunez

Dr. Daza Nunez is carrying the torch for early literacy at Lowell CHC, where children receive brand new books during well-child visits through Reach out and Read.

Dr. Nunez has always had a love of language and community health. She speaks English and Spanish and is working hard to perfect her Portuguese. Lowell Community Health Center is the perfect place to sharpen her skills.

“I really love the values here … it means a lot to me to be part of a work place where I am not just a doctor, my background makes a difference, where I can understand the culture of my patients.”

Growing up in Colombia, Dr. Nunez always felt drawn to public service. The Reach Out and Read program brings her love for service to life. Dr. Nunez understands the impact reading has on our young patients. Reflecting the health center’s mission, she has ensured the program provides books in a number of languages to reflect our evolving patient population, including Portuguese, Dari and Pashto, much to the delight of newly arrived patients from Afghanistan.

“I love absolutely everything about this reading program” Dr. Daza Nunez says. “It goes beyond just promoting literacy. It’s about a connection between parents, their children, and our providers. It creates such benefits for families. When they see and interact with these beautiful books, especially in their own language, it means so much.”

Our whole-child model of care is only possible thanks to community support.

Give Today
January 11, 2023

Bombas Donates 3,000 Pairs of Socks

Read more
October 5, 2022

A Better Way To Communicate With Your Care Team

MyChart is Coming Soon to Lowell Community Health Center!

All your health information in one place

See your medications, test results, upcoming appointments, medical bills, update your personal information, and more all in one place – even if you’ve been seen at multiple healthcare organizations.

Connect with your provider and care team

Send a message, request prescription refills, or arrange to follow up with your provider and care team from anywhere.

Quickly request appointments

Request appointments at your convenience; complete pre-visit tasks from home.

Manage a loved one’s care

Stay on top of everyone’s appointments and check in on family members who need extra help, all from your account.

MyChart is available in English and Spanish at this time.