SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — With dual goals of helping more people establish ongoing relationships with primary care physicians, and providing a convenient and less costly alternative to the emergency department for those with minor illnesses or injuries, Ellis Medicine will open a new Urgent and Primary Care Center at the Mohawk Harbor planned community on Monday, Oct. 15.
The center will be open to people of all ages from across the region, as well as serving Mohawk Harbor residents, visitors and those who work in the growing number of businesses at the thriving new multi-use development. In addition to urgent and primary care, the center will include a laboratory, walk-in blood draw station, and medical imaging. A community open house will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for those interested in learning more the center.
Ellis Medicine, the Capital Region’s independent healthcare provider, fit up the 10,000-square-foot space and will bring 20 jobs to the Mohawk Harbor facility — an investment Ellis President & CEO Paul Milton said demonstrates the organization’s commitment to growing to meet the healthcare needs of its community and contribute to its economic health.
“Ellis Medicine is proud and excited to be a part of Mohawk Harbor, which is bringing a new vibrancy to the City of Schenectady,” Mr. Milton said. “But our investment is about more than new jobs and economic growth, it’s about improving the health of people in our community. We are making primary care more readily available to more people, and providing an urgent care option that will reduce unnecessary and expensive emergency department visits — both of which will help reduce the overall cost of care.”
Studies show that people with primary care providers are better able to prevent or manage chronic diseases, and have lower overall healthcare costs. But data also show a shortage of providers in the area, and large numbers of people without ongoing primary care relationships.
Dr. J. Antonio Reyes, a Mohawk Harbor physician who also serves as Ellis’ Medical Director of Primary Care, said, “The number of local people without primary care providers is still quite high, including people with health insurance. We’re working to address this in a couple of ways — first, by bringing new providers to the community, and also by taking the opportunity during urgent care visits to encourage the ‘un-doctored’ to begin seeing a primary care provider. Given the benefits that come with an ongoing primary care provider relationship, we believe this is an especially worthwhile investment.”
Dr. Reyes added that many people without primary care providers often turn to the Emergency Department at Ellis Hospital, even when it’s not an emergency situation. This results in greater costs and can lead to lengthy wait times as patients with serious medical emergencies are treated first. “We want people to know that our new urgent care center at Mohawk Harbor is the place to go for minor illnesses and injuries,” Dr. Reyes said.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ellis Medicine to Mohawk Harbor,” said David Buicko, President & CEO of the Galesi Group, developer of the $330-million, riverside community. “Ellis will provide a valuable service to our residents, commercial tenants and visitors, and no doubt bring even larger numbers of people to our new community.”
Ellis Medicine President & CEO Paul Milton said, “Our partnership with Mohawk Harbor is a great example of what it means for Ellis to be an ‘Independent Collaborator.’ We are an independent, local healthcare system, not affiliated with another organization, but working closely with providers and organizations across our community to deliver high-quality care, close to home.”
Urgent care and radiology services will be provided seven days a week from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Primary care appointments are available weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Lab services are available weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For appointments, please call 844-518-DOCS (3627).
ABOUT ELLIS MEDICINE
Ellis Medicine is a 438-bed community and teaching healthcare system serving New York’s Capital Region. With four campuses — Ellis Hospital, McClellan Street Health Center, Bellevue Woman’s Center and Medical Center of Clifton Park — six additional service locations, 3,300-plus employees and more than 700 members of its medical staff, Ellis Medicine is proud to provide a lifetime of care for patients. Ellis offers an extensive array of inpatient and outpatient services — including cardiac, cancer, emergency, neuroscience, and women’s services.
Media Contact:
Philip Schwartz, Ellis Medicine
O/ 518-831-8588 | C/ 518-232-9288
schwartzp@ellismedicine.org