Louise Dinsmore, Pres Ted, Alison Croke and Sarah Channing
President & CEO Alison was excited to speak to us about Wood River Health and its growth since it had its beginning in Hope Valley in 1976. With its mission "to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing high quality, coordinated health and support services, accessible to all", this 501(c)(3) organization serves Charlestown, Richmond, Hopkinton, Exeter, West Greenwich and Westerly. A second location was opened July 2019 in Westerly. The health center accepts patients regardless of their ability to pay - charges are based on a sliding fee scale. Services provided include primary medical care, dental care, behavioral health care, care management/community resources, women/infant/children on-site, lab.
Recognizing the need to expand programs and care, WRH has begun a Capital Campaign to expand their current facility - an two-story addition to the current Main Street facility - that will expand clinical space by 57% and "create a first floor entirely dedicated to clinical services and patient care." The dental program's "footprint will be expanded" as well as the Behavioral Health program. They plan to have an on-site pharmacy and rotating Specialist Space, such as cardiology, physical therapy, determatology and other services.
WRH has already raised $800,000 with an "aspirational goal of $1 Million to support a $3.5 million project" with grants from Champlin Foundation, Delta Dental Neighborhood Health Plan of RI, Washington Trust and more. To find out more or to donate, go to https://www.mightycause.com/organization/Wood-River-Health-Services.
