The Community Health Center was recently awarded a Health Infrastructure Investment Program grant for facility renovation and construction to increase patient capacity at the Christiansburg site.
CHCNRV was one of ten federally-qualified health care centers in Virginia to receive an award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Center’s award- $1 million -will allow for both internal and external building renovations, upgrades and equipment purchase as well as provide for the addition of two pediatric rooms.
HRSA’s provision of the funding stems from their commitment to expand access to care for those individuals who have become insured through the Affordable Care Act implementation.
The Center served more than 2,400 low-income, uninsured and insured individuals in 2015. That number is on par to increase in 2016 and the building renovation will be a timely change to accommodate the expansion. “We are adding two exam rooms to better accommodate our pediatric patient care, as well a fifth dental operatory for the surge of dental patients we’re serving,” says Michelle Brauns, CEO. “In addition, the building – an old motel initially – hasn’t been updated since 2003 and we hope our modern upgrades will truly enhance the patient experience.”
The Center has chosen the architecture and engineering firm, Thompson and Litton, to provide professional design services. It is anticipated that construction will be completed by late summer, 2017.