Community Leaders Join the Institute for a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at its Brooklyn Health Center
April 11, 2018
Brooklyn, NY (April 10, 2018) – Health care and community leaders and elected officials gathered on Tuesday, April 10, to celebrate the opening of the Institute for Family Health’s Cadman Family Health Center in Brooklyn. The state-of-the-art health center, the Institute’s first in Brooklyn, is located at 300 Cadman Plaza West, near the Downtown Brooklyn / Brooklyn Heights transportation hubs. Forty attendees including elected officials, community members and health center staff attended the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
Dr. Neil Calman, the co-founder, president and CEO of the Institute for Family Health, thanked the many partners who made the new health center possible before describing what makes the Institute’s centers unique. “We don’t think about health care the same way,” he said. “It’s not one New York City, but many – with huge disparities in health, access to healthy food, income, housing, and education. In our health centers, we now screen people for social determinants of health, we address substance use, and so much more – because that is how we will make a change in people’s lives in Brooklyn, and beyond.”
The Institute for Family Health is a federally qualified health center network committed to providing comprehensive and affordable health care to all people, regardless of their ability to pay. The Cadman Family Health Center offers primary medical care for adults and children of all ages such as preventive care and screenings, women’s and men’s health services, health education and care for chronic illnesses, including diabetes and HIV. Cadman Family Health Center will serve patients who receive Medicaid, Medicare and any of dozens of private insurance plans, including plans available through the New York State of Health insurance marketplace. Patients without insurance may be eligible for a discount based on their household size and income. The Institute never turns anyone away because they cannot pay for care.
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez of Brooklyn’s 7th congressional district echoed the Institute’s mission as she addressed the audience. “I believe that all Americans, regardless of income, age or race, deserve the best primary care that we – the richest country – can afford. In Congress, we’ve added $1.6 billion, an increase of $135 million, to federally qualified health centers like the Institute for Family Health,” she continued, referencing the recent budget appropriation for health centers. “It is part of our values to take care of our neighbors when they are sick.”
“New York State shows a lot of responsibility and commitment to intersectionality – how so many different issues affect health,” said NYS Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon of Brooklyn’s Assembly District 52. “Today, I wore red for Equal Pay Day,” she continued, to applause. “Having that would make a real difference in the lives of women and families, and in their health.”
Ann-May Hoyte-Nelson, Deputy Program Director, Division of Hospitals and Diagnostic and Treatment Centers, NYS Department of Health, greeted the crowd on behalf of Governor Cuomo. “I am proud to join you in celebrating the grand opening of the Cadman Family Health Center, an exciting day for Brooklyn and the entire Empire State,” she said, speaking for the Governor. “I’m proud to join in congratulating the Institute on this milestone and thank everyone involved for your commitment to helping ensure a stronger, healthier quality of life for all.”
Borough President Eric Adams echoed the Institute’s focus on using its health centers to create lasting community change. “I have immersed myself in this conversation about health,” he said, as he told the story of his own experience with taking action to improve his health, following his diagnosis with Type II Diabetes in 2016. “Too many people believe we cannot heal. We’re making health care better here in Brooklyn – and as Brooklyn goes, so goes New York. As New York goes, so goes the country. And as the country goes, so goes the globe.”
Cadman Family Health Center is located on the 17th floor of 300 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn, NY 11201, between Clinton and Pierrepont Streets. The new location can be accessed by the following subway or bus lines: 4 or 5 to Borough Hall; N, R or W to Court Street; 2 or 3 to Borough Hall; A, C or F to Jay Street – Metrotech; or the B25, 26, 38, 41, 52 or 103 bus lines.