BUFFALO, N.Y. — People Inc. cut the ribbon on its new $10 million health center on Tuesday. Located on Hertel Ave., it's more than double the size of their current building, Elmwood Health Center.

What You Need To Know

  • People Inc. will open its new health center at 800 Hertel Ave. on October 4
  • It's a 32,000 sq. ft. facility
  • Primary and specialty care, dentistry and rehabilitation services will be available under one roof 

"It's a dream come true," said Rhonda Frederick, People Inc. president and CEO. "We opened our original health center 28 years ago and we've outgrown it. It's just amazing to be here and there's so many people that need comprehensive health care needs."

Leaders call it a state-of-the-art facility. While they serve the general public, it's geared toward those with developmental disabilities. 

"We're able to offer specialized services with physicians and clinicians that understand the needs of special populations," Frederick said.

People Inc. is partnering with Evergreen Health to provide primary care and other services for adults and children.

"We focus on targeting populations that are underserved by health care and that are disenfranchised, and certainly the folks that get services from People Inc. fit into that category," said Raymond Ganoe, Evergreen Health president and CEO.

The health center will also have dental care provided by ECMC as well as Rehabilitation Health Services providing occupational, physical and speech therapy. People First Mobility will provide durable medical equipment and wheelchairs.  

"We have over 5,000 patients and we know there's so many more people out there," Frederick said. "We have very long wait lists to get into our primary care. This will allow some of the Evergreen staff to come over in addition to the Elmwood Health Center staff and provide even more services. We have more exam rooms and just more space."

They'll begin seeing patients at the facility on October 4.