Author: Don West/fotografiksPresident and CEO of the Mattapan Community Health Center, Azzie Young, Ph.D, stands in front of the center’s new “green” building at 1575 Blue Hill Avenue in the Mattapan business district. The facility will mark its official opening on Monday, September 10 with a public ribbon cutting celebration.
The Mattapan Community Health Center (MCHC) is opening its new building at 1575 Blue Hill Avenue in the recently designated Mattapan Main Streets business district. The 50,000 square foot “green” building will also house a CVS Pharmacy — the first pharmacy in Mattapan Square in 30 years — and a branch of Citizens Bank. The official ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Monday, September 10, 2012 at 11am.
Azzie Young, Ph.D, MCHC CEO, says, “This marks a new era for the Mattapan Community Health Center, which is celebrating its 40th year. Beyond bricks and mortar, our new home greatly increases our capacity to provide quality, culturally-sensitive care to Mattapan, Hyde Park and neighboring communities. We are excited and extremely grateful for the support we have received throughout this journey. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our beautiful new space.”
Mattapan Community Health Center Week
To celebrate the opening, Boston has declared September 3 – September 10, 2012 as Mattapan Community Health Center Week. Highlights include the following activities which are free and open to the public:
Open House
September 4-7, 12:30-4pm
1575 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, MA
Health Care Revival
September 8, 9:30am-3:30pm
Foley Campus Center
249 River Street, Mattapan, MA
The 16th Annual Health Care Revival features free health screenings, prizes, community awards, refreshments and the opportunity to meet MCHC medical staff who will share information about expanding health services.
Ribbon Cutting
September 10, 11:00am
1575 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, MA
Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Thomas Menino and a host of other officials, donors and community members have been invited to attend the opening celebration of the new MCHC facility.
Increased Capacity
The new facility will allow MCHC to double the number of patients it serves and triple patient visits. In 2011, Mattapan Community Health Center served more than 7,500 people through 30,000 visits.
For the first time, the center will provide on-site mammography services. An expanded laboratory will allow MCHC to run more tests more quickly. In addition, MCHC will use the new space to expand dental, pediatric, adolescent, women’s health and other adult programs.
History of Need
The old facility on Blue Hill Avenue has been aging and long known to be too small to accommodate MCHC’s growing number of patients in Mattapan, Hyde Park and beyond. The new facility responds to the need for increased capacity and enables the center to better serve Mattapan and its surrounding communities.
Data shows that Mattapan has some of the most serious health problems in Boston. These include an HIV/AIDS mortality rate that is almost three times higher than that of Boston; rates of prostate cancer and sexually transmitted diseases more than twice that of Boston; an infant mortality rate that is twice that of Boston; and significantly higher heart rates of disease, diabetes, mortality and teen pregnancy.
Economic Impact
The new Center will serve as an economic driver for the community. Already the largest employer in Mattapan, MCHC has created nearly 600 new construction jobs because of the new building. The health center and its tenants expect to add 40-90 new permanent jobs over the next three years.
MCHC received $12 million in the first round of American Recovery Act funding for the new building. Other health centers across the country have received similar federal funding in response to the health needs of underserved communities nationwide. MCHC serves all ages, all populations and all income levels.
Funding for the $34 million structure has come from four sources: ArRA funds (already awarded), loans, New Markets Tax Credit Equity and philanthropy.
A “Green” Building
The MCHC building has 50,000 square feet with parking and “green” or sustainable features such as the use of recycled and regional materials, energy efficient HVAC and lighting systems and a “green” roof. The new development has been designed to achieve a LEED Silver rating and MCHC has applied to the United States Green Building Council for certification.
To RSVP for the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on September 10 and other MCHC Week activities, or to learn more about the new Mattapan Community Health Center, e-mail screenm@matchc.org or call 617/898-9049. For further information go to www.mattapanchc.org.
