ACHS-Warren Renovations and Expansion Complete!
Open House set for July 8th from 2-4 pm
July 01 2011 - Press Release
Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, Inc. (ACHS) received an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) grant in the amount of $300,000 last year to fund the renovation and expansion of the ACHS–Warren facility (formerly the Mount Mooselauke Health Center). After many months of dealing with deconstruction, construction and continuing to deliver quality care to patients through it all, the staff at ACHS-Warren is ready to show off their wonderful new space with an Open House, July 8th from 2-4pm.
The project brought much needed and long overdue renovations to the historic train station turned health care center. The funding allowed for improving and expanding the exam rooms, improving handicap accessibility, securely enclosing the entire building for energy efficiency, bringing the 150 amp electrical service up to 200 amps, and correcting existing structural issues to the roof and foundation. These improvements include a 500 sq. ft. addition on the rear of the building. No funds dedicated to patient care were used for this project.
The Town of Warren deeded the building over to the Mooselauke Health Center, Inc. in 1957 and it has been the lifeblood for health care in this rural community for decades. The historic nature and structural lines of the train station have always made health care delivery at this site a challenge. The long, narrow footprint of the building made it necessary to have a very narrow hallway down the center—so narrow that some patients that needed to get to the other end of the building had to go outside and in through another door to get to the other end of the building. This no longer poses a challenge. The changes made will make the delivery of health care more efficient and convenient.
Ed Shanshala, CEO of ACHS said, “Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, Inc. is very fortunate to have been the recipient of funding for this project. It is very exciting to see the end result that will benefit both our patients and our staff. We hope everyone in the community will come out and see the facility during the Open House!”
The public is invited to tour the facility. ACHS-Warren providers and staff will be on hand. Members of the ACHS Board of Directors will also be in attendance. Dr. David Nelson, ACHS Medical Director, is expected to make a guest appearance for those of you who knew him when he practiced at the Warren site.
View photos by famed local wildlife photographer, Tom Sears; Forest Songs and Stories Music Program will be presented through collaboration with ACHS, AANNH and VSA NH. This free, participatory music program for children and families will take place on the lawn in front of the health center (333 Route 25, Warren) on Friday, July 8 from 2 to 4pm. Deborah Stuart and Will Cabell will share songs, stories and books, and children will be able to make their own homemade instruments from natural and recycled materials. This drop-in program is part of the AANNH Arts in Early Learning collaboration with VSA NH. Light refreshments are being provided and register to win a door prize.
Founded in 1975, Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, Inc. is a nonprofit community health center offering a network of affordable primary health services. Our programs promote and support the well-being of individuals and families by emphasizing preventive care and encouraging active participation in one’s own health.
ACHS serves 26 New Hampshire towns in northern Grafton and southern Coos counties and has sites located in Littleton, Franconia, Whitefield, Warren and Woodsville. Clinical teams, made up of doctors, nurse practitioners or physician assistants supported by nurses and medical assistants, provide comprehensive services on a sliding fee scale to nearly 10,000 patients. For more information about ACHS, visit www.ammonoosuc.org or call 444-2464. ACHS is accepting new patients, call the New Patient hotline at 1-866-201-5076.