WOONSOCKET – Thundermist Health Center of Woonsocket unveiled its 50,000-square-foot, $6 million addition of new patient care space at 450 Clinton St. Friday morning, the culmination of more than two years of construction on project that provides room to accommodate care provided to a growing number of patients.
The project doubled patient care space, increased capacity and implements modern design features to improve the patient experience, said Dr. Sapna Chowdhry, medical director at Thundermist Health Center of Woonsocket.
The center cares for more than 20,000 patients each year and employs nearly 300 people.
The patient count the center cares for has increased 30 percent over the last decade, Chowdhry said. As a result, while the site was once staffed by about half a dozen physicians, the center is now home to about 40 medical personnel, she said. The expansion takes over space previously occupied by the R.I. Department of Human Services.
The center serves as patients’ medical home, Chowdhry said. Someone may walk in the door for a cold or injury and leave with donations from the center’s food pantry, depending on their need. Center staff take a comprehensive approach to serving patients, she said.
“We don’t just treat our patients for acute medical problems. We also help to address obstacles that may be preventing patients from achieving better health. At Thundermist, we go above and beyond to provide our patients with comprehensive care,” Chowdhry said.
She said the expansion also will allow them to better react to substance-abuse patients as a result of the opioid epidemic’s affects. “Woonsocket is acutely affected,” she said. All staff members are trained to spot substance abuse among walk-in patients, she said, and match them to necessary care, including a new medication-assisted treatment program.
All that activity and patient care requires physical space the center is now capable of offering, Chowdhry said.
“Today, we celebrate a transformation,” said Jeanne LaChance, president and CEO of the health care provider. “Thundermist is meeting the needs of the community through expanded access to quality primary and behavioral health care. We’re providing a circle of care that gives patients access to the services they need to improve their health and well-being.”
The project was supported in part by $1 million in Health Resources and Services Administration infrastructure funding. The United Way provided $300,000 to support the enhancement and expansion of services. The Champlin Foundation provided $230,000 to make improvements to the parking lot and $80,000 for medical equipment.
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Contact him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
