Second satellite clinic planned for S.E. Warren

By William K. Alcorn

Dominion East Ohio presented checks to Ohio North East Health Systems and the Midlothian Free Clinic.

YOUNGSTOWN — Ohio North East Health Systems plans to establish a second satellite clinic in Warren by year’s end.

Dr. Ronald Dwinnells, chief executive officer of the health system, said he has applied for $880,910 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus money) to fund the project in the southeast section of the city and is optimistic the grant will be approved.

Dr. Dwinnells revealed the Warren satellite project during a press conference at which Dominion Resources, parent company of Dominion East Ohio, announced it was donating $1 million to health care providers in 14 states.

Dominion East Ohio President Bruce Klink presented checks for $10,000 and $7,500 to Ohio North East Health Systems and the Midlothian Free Clinic, respectively. He said the money does not come from customer-bill revenue, but from the company’s employees, who gave up employee appreciation events this year.

R. Allen Sinclair, executive director of Midlothian, said the money will help keep the clinic’s doors open. The clinic began operating in March 2008.

The Rev Rob Johnson, chairman of the Midlothian board of directors, said the “need is great in our community, and we are very grateful to Dominion.”

Dr. Dwinnells said the Dominion gift will provide seed money for the proposed new Warren satellite clinic, that will provide primary health care including family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, dentistry and labs. It will be a “campus” concept, partnering with multiple agencies as a “one-stop” shop to provide not only medical and dental services, but to have services such as mental health, hearing and speech and developmental assessments, Dr. Dwinnells said.

It will be structured in the same manner as the rest of the facilities in terms of a sliding-fee scale and discount programs, he said.

Ohio North East Health Systems has three clinics: The Youngstown Community Health Center, 726 Wick Ave.; Warren West Community Health Center, 716 Tod Ave. S.W.; and Good Samaritan Community Health Center, 405 S. Linden St., Alliance.

Other major upcoming projects include establishment of a mobile van clinic to serve Warren City Schools, and a mobile dental clinic for Ashtabula County.

Two Youngstown residents, Evelyn Ramirez and Shedrick Stone, who receive medical and dental services at the Youngstown Community Health Center, praised the quality of its services and the caring attitude of its staff.

“My whole family is pleased with the services and the people here,” said Ramirez.

alcorn@vindy.com