Menendez At Southern Jersey Medical Center To Talk Expansion

For High-Res Photos from the Event, please contact Menendez Press.

New Jersey - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today visited the Southern Jersey Family Medical Center in Atlantic City to announce a nearly $3.12 million grant to expand and improve its facilities, which will create new jobs and provide access to vital health care services for more local families. The grant was part of an overall investment of $18 million to expand and improve services at seven New Jersey health centers and was made possible by the Affordable Care Act.

"There is no doubt that the Affordable Care Act is working for New Jersey families and communities, and I'm proud to have fought for its passage and for increased investment in our New Jersey health centers," said Menendez. "Not only will the Southern Jersey Family Medical Center soon be expanded and equipped to care for more patients, we will create good construction and health care jobs in the process. Without centers like this one, countless New Jerseyans would go without the health care they need."

Southern Jersey Family Medical Center will use its $3,118,999 grant to expand and upgrade its existing facility located in Burlington City. This expansion will allow the center to provide the traditional array of community health center services to an additional 7,500 patients, to include primary care and dental services, mental health, nutritional counseling, OB/GYN services, community outreach and more.

"The dollars awarded to our health center today will mean that many additional families in our community will have improved access to effective primary care services," said Linda Flake, President & CEO of the Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers. "We are extremely proud to accept this award, particularly during our 35^th year of providing high quality medical and dental care to the underserved and uninsured populations within the region."

The total of $18,086,274 in awards made to seven New Jersey community health centers are part of a series of capital investments made available through the Affordable Care Act to support major construction and renovation projects at community health centers. Together, New Jersey grantees estimate that this investment will help them serve nearly 17,500 new patients.

New Jersey Grants:

Capital Development - Immediate Facility Improvement Program

New Jersey is home to 20 Federally-Qualified Health Centers, operating more than 120 sites, with more than a million patient visits a year and providing a range of vital primary care services including obstetrics, pediatrics, dental and pharmacy services.

From Left to Right: Dennis Gonzalez, Dept. of Health and Human Services; Senator Menendez; Linda Flake, President and CEO of SJFMC; Kathy Rigby, President of SFJMC Board of Directors; Katherine Grant-Davis, President,CEO of New Jersey Primary Care; Robert Gogats, Burlington County Health Officer.

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