State legislators delivered an oversized check for $1 million to Northwell Health representatives Wednesday for the new family health center planned for Huntington Station.
State Assemblyman Steve Stern, accompanied by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, presented the check to Huntington Hospital officials at a press conference at the Dolan Family Health Center in Greenlawn.
The new center, which will be built on the lot at 1572 New York Ave. which is currently occupied by a former bank, is expected to open at the end of next year or early 2024. It will be named the Northwell Family Health Center at Huntington.
Dr. Nick Fitterman, executive director of Huntington Hospital, said the new location of the health center would be in keeping with Northwell goals of bringing care more directly to patients.
Stern said, “The Dolan Family Health Center provides essential health care services to underserved residents of the Huntington community. Continuity of care is stressed, including maternal health, pediatrics and specialty care that is often out of reach for too many. This critical funding will enable the center to expand its services, relocate to a central location that is accessible for those without cars, and substantially impact the revitalization of Huntington Station.”
Heastie has been touring Long Island as part of his annual tour of the state. On Wednesday, Stern credited Heastie for having helped win funds for sewer projects in the Station.
Town Councilwoman Joan Cergol said, “It became painfully evident during the COVID-19 pandemic just how vital health and social support services are to this community. I’m so grateful that Northwell Health has invested in Huntington Station, with the generous assistance of NYS Assemblyman Steve Stern, to deliver its award-winning health services to underserved families and children throughout the town. Northwell’s new Health Center in the heart of Huntington Station will dovetail with the support services currently being provided by Family Service League just a few blocks to the north.”
Former State Sen. John Flanagan, who works on governmental relations at Northwell, and community leaders Dee Thompson and Tracey Edwards also spoke about the need for community partnerships, with Edwards noting the outsized impact of Covid-19 on Huntington Station.
