CHANGE, Inc. opens new Women's Health Center
By ANGELINA DICKSON, Staff writerArticle Photos
CHANGE, Inc. held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday to celebrate the official opening of Family Medical Care's new Women's Health Center and hosted an open house for members of the community.
Officials from CHANGE, Inc. offered refreshments and a tour through the office where visitors could see the nine exam rooms, the one procedures room, blood draw lab, ultrasound room, and non-stress test room for expecting mothers.
New providers practicing at the new Women's Health Center are Dr. Manuel Ballas, Dr. Kara O'Karma and Dr. Cynthia Gray.
According to CHANGE, Inc. officials, the convenience of offering a medical home for patients in the Ohio Valley, Family Medical Care is a comprehensive health care facility with staff committed to providing the best possible care with the utmost respect and compassion for each of its patients. The health center understands the high cost of quality health care today, and the inability of some in the community to afford that care without insurance.
Judy Raveaux, chief executive officer of CHANGE, Inc., stated in order to help meet the need for such a facility, CHANGE, Inc. increased its spectrum of medical care to include a Women's Health Care Center, located at 651 Colliers Way Suite 401 in Weirton. Because of additional funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, it allowed for the expansion, new medical equipment and supplies, as well as 14 new staff members to best meet the needs of the patients.
"The Women's Health Center also offers to their patients the access to 3D and 4D Ultrasound and Dexa Scans for bone density testing," said Raveaux.
Family Medical Care provides a full range of health care services to the community regardless of age, income level, insurance status, or residents, including continuous and comprehensive medical care for all ages.
O'Karma stated she is glad to be involved in such a facility. She said working with Raveaux has been amazing and encourages regular visits and testing for local women in the area.
"We provide so many procedures and testing here in the office and have case workers that will work with those who don't qualify for Medicaid and don't have insurance," said O'Karma.
Raveaux said Family Medical Care and Women's Health Care offers the services on a discount fee scale for uninsured and low-income patients, and through partnerships can also refer patients to specialists, home health, therapy services, hospice care, radiology and dental services.
"We also provide transportation for those without," said O'Karma. "We don't want someone to not be able to get the service they need."
Through Family Care Pharmacy, patients can also receive prescriptions at the guaranteed lowest cost through the 340B Drug Program and numerous pharmaceutical indigent drug program.
"In 2009, Family Medical Care provided its patients over $314,648 in medical care discounts and $1,696,570 in prescriptions discounts," stated Raveaux.
Family Medical Care Women's Health Center is accepting new patients throughout the Ohio Valley for all health insurances, Medicaid, Medicare and uninsured. Call (304) 723-2192 or visit www.familymc.org for more information about the center or (304) 748-4200 for more about Family Care Pharmacy.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
