For more than 25 years, Aspire has operated a clinical facility, at 7 Community Drive in Cheektowaga, dedicated to providing premier care for the special needs community from Erie and Niagara Counties. In 2015, plans that were years in the making culminated in several significant changes and also recognition for the quality of care being provided. The Health Center expanded the Primary Care Team with the additions of Dr. Elizabeth O’Neill and Dr. Anees Ahmad. With the additional staff, the Health Center now provides clinical services to the Western New York community-at-large in addition to those with special needs. The new clinical focus allows any patient, age 18 and older to visit the Health Center for a full-range of medical services, including Primary Care, Behavioral and Mental Health, Rehabilitation Therapies (PT, OT, and Speech), Podiatry, and Nutrition.
To support the clinical expansion, an extensive renovation and upgrade project was recently completed, making the Aspire Health Center bigger and brighter than ever. Newly designed spaces are bathed in soft colors and strike the necessary balance of comfort and privacy, and even features Wi-Fi connectivity. One familiar face at the Health Center, Paris Adams, has been a patient for the past 16 years and is thrilled with the changes. “Years ago, when I first enrolled at the Health Center, it was a very small space,” Paris explains. “Now, they have a big waiting room, and everything is very nice. I enjoy seeing Miss Hollie (Hollie Bojarski, ANP-C), she is very knowledgeable and takes good care of me.”
Paris works as an Office Assistant in a law office in downtown Buffalo and appreciates how quickly he gets in to see the staff at the Health Center. “I give the clinic an A+ for waiting time,” he says. “I never wait too long and once I get checked, I can go right back to work!”
In addition to expanding the clinical focus, the Aspire Health Center was recognized recently by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). To earn PCMH recognition, the Aspire Health Center was measured against a stringent set of national standards and demonstrated that they are using evidence-based, patient-centered processes focusing on coordinated care and collaborative patient relationships. PCMH Medical Homes are recognized as the “gold standard” in the quality of care and patient experiences of care.
“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “This recognition shows that Aspire Health Center has the tools, systems, and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”
The PCMH recognition is good for the next three years after which the Health Center will reapply under the latest quality standards at the time of their application.
“We can offer the community a staff of experienced providers who engage and support patients throughout the continuum of care,” explained Honor Martin, Aspire VP of Clinical Services. “Our Health Center tagline is Engage, Nurture, Thrive. It is more than a group of words to us; it is our mandate for the care we provide for every patient we serve.”
To schedule an appointment or to learn more about Aspire Health Center offerings, including nutrition plans to help you with your weight and healthy eating goals, call today at 716-505-5630. Some same day and urgent care appointments are available.
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