Sun River Health Breaks Ground For Expansion

By Jennifer L. Warren

BEACON – Walls are coming down. Power drills are humming away. Pieces of siding are being measured and carefully hoisted. Six Henry Street in the heart of downtown Beacon is abuzz with activity, a process that far transcends building and expanding.

“This is not just about construction,” said Allison Dubois, Vice President and COO of Sun River Health. “This is about investing in the community, access to affordable healthcare, as well as connection.”

Those merging pieces, allowing The Sun River Health’s Beacon Health Center’s site to soon connect to the bustling Main Street hub, exposing its full ensemble of health services to even more of the 7,000 patients of diverse backgrounds it currently serves, was partially made possible by a two million dollar grant secured by Senator, Pat Ryan.

On site at Thursday’s Groundbreaking event, Ryan, was all smiles, beaming with excitement about the critical nature of this expansion as well as community centers like Sun River Health in general.

“This is a great, great day,” affirmed Ryan. “It is a reminder of how important the investing in health centers such as this one is, especially at a time when they are at such a risk, and so many of my constituents are concerned about healthcare costs.”

Ryan continued, “Those who work here know how critical-physically and morally- places like this are, and today is a great day, showing the positive direction of the work that was started several years ago.”

That upward lift will entail; extended hours of operation, a new six-room urgent care center as well as two primary care rooms to the Beacon site, one of over 50 throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island Region.

Presently celebrating its 50th year of delivering quality healthcare for all people, Sun River was founded in 1975 by four African-American women. Its committed vision- to serve all in the community in need, regardless of background or other factors- has intensified over the last half of a century.

“What an amazing, amazing team we have here at Sun River,” said Marcia Jacobowitz-Paz, Vice Chairperson on the Sun River Health Board. “We use a model that serves the whole person, no one is turned away; supporting community health centers is supporting the community, as it saves on costs and stimulates local, economic growth.” She then went on to praise Ryan’s long-time loyalty to Sun River Health. “Pat Ryan and his team have supported us a great deal; he is a true champion who has a genuine, deep concern for his constituents’ needs, and we thank him for his support for our Health Center.”

In addition to the physical alterations, the Health Center will also experience accompanying efficiency help. Shorter wait times, reduced emergency care visits as well as the convenience of being able to take care of an array of health needs in one comfortable, familiar place, will be priceless dividends to the thousands who rely upon this Health Center.

“This Center has served as a beacon for the underserved,” pointed out Dr. Leigh Rieper, Medical Director of Sun River Health.

It’s a profound, lasting, and special impact felt by so many of those patients, one of whom spoke just prior to the Groundbreaking.

“Sun River knows how to care for people, and that means everything to me,” said Perry, who pointed to the indelible, positive imprints of the Beacon locale’s staff as well as his case manager. “This is the beginning of even greater care in this community.”