Phillips-Barber Family Health Center, a family practice that is operated by Hunterdon Healthcare, will be expanded to “a state-of-the-art facility with expanded programs and services,” said Hu
LAMBERTVILLE — Phillips-Barber Family Health Center, a family practice that is operated by Hunterdon Healthcare, will be expanded to “a state-of-the-art facility with expanded programs and services,” said Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation executives.
The facility opened on Alexander Avenue for residents of Lambertville and the New Hope community in 1972. Today, Phillips-Barber has more than 20,000 patient visits a year and welcomes nearly 60 new patients a month.
Hospital officials said it was still being determined if a new facility will be built on the Alexander Avenue property or move to a different, nearby location.
The HMC Foundation announced plans at an evening event Oct. 9 at Hamilton’s Grill Room in Lambertville.
Over the next few months, Hunterdon Healthcare will conduct a community needs assessment and speak with patients at the Phillips-Barber Family Health Center to determine what services should be included into the new center. An estimated 1,000 people from the community and local businesses will be interviewed and surveyed to determine what they would like to see in terms of services added.
”Our goal is to create one of the best family health care centers in the country and continue to be directly linked with our nationally recognized family medicine resident training program,” said Christopher Sickels, executive vice president of the Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation and senior vice president of community affairs.
Anyone who would like to share ideas can reach Mr. Eckels at 908-788-6141.
In addition to a new family health center, some of the services mentioned that may be considered are sub-specialty medical care, physical therapy, laboratory services, physician resident training center, integrative medicine, health and wellness services, outpatient behavioral health, community art lobby display, community meeting space and community gardens.
”A new facility will allow us to extend our service to the community and significantly expand our scope of practice,” said Terry Shlimbaum, who is the medical director at Phillips-Barber. “With more services offered, the people we serve will find more convenience, more wellness options, and more patient-centered care in a comfortable, community-focused setting. This new space will allow us to continue to provide the highest quality of care and family medicine education in the ever-changing healthcare environment.”
Hunterdon Healthcare will undertake the project in partnership with area residents and businesses and will be asking for philanthropic contributions. Hunterdon Healthcare will match charitable gifts on a 1-1 basis, which will double the impact of every dollar donated.
For information or to donate, contact the Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation at www.donatetohunterdonhealthcare.org or by calling 908-788-6141.
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