North Long Beach has a new medical clinic.
Atlantic Clinic, run by the Central Neighborhood Health Foundation, held its grand opening this week and has begun providing comprehensive services to people in the local community and surrounding areas.
Officials say a team of dedicated medical professionals, volunteers and community advocates are ready to serve those in need at the clinic, located at 5601 Atlantic Ave.
According to its website, the Central Neighborhood Health Foundation is a network of Medicare-certified, federally qualified health centers serving Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire. Although the foundation is a faith-based organization, officials say it is committed to serving all patients in the diverse communities in which they live.
To make Atlantic Clinic a reality, CNHF also partnered with PIH Health to build the facility.
“We not only commemorate the opening of our clinic's physical doors, but also a door of hope, healing and compassion that will welcome members of our community with open arms,” said CNHF President and CEO Kenneth Orduna. “Today is not just a day to celebrate our brick and mortar building, it's a day to proclaim our mission to provide compassionate, high-quality, personalized health care to everyone who walks through our doors, regardless of their background or ability to pay.”
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The clinic will provide a full range of services, including mental health, addiction treatment, optometry, paediatrics, aged care and adult primary care, and will also house a food bank where staff will assist patients experiencing food insecurity.
The facility will have eligibility reviewers on-site to help patients resolve Medi-Cal and other insurance issues.
The grand opening ceremony was held outside the clinic on the morning of Thursday, August 22nd, and was attended by representatives from CNHF and PIH Health, City of Long Beach representatives, staff and community members.
“I want to thank everyone involved in making this happen today for their tireless efforts,” City Councilman Al Austin said at the ceremony. “This is a labor of love, but it's an impactful project. It's a project that will make a difference in the community.”
The area has seen a lack of economic investment in recent years, with properties being tied up with redevelopers and deals falling through, Austin said, and the building that now houses the clinic was formerly a furniture rental facility.
“Today, we have a health care corner, we have a community service corner,” Austin added, “and that enhances the quality of life and livability for the residents of this area.”
This is the second clinic run by CNHF in North Long Beach, joining one already in the Carmelitos area.
“We think it's needed here in north Long Beach,” said CNHF Chief Administrative Officer Eleanor Cochran, “and with the new development going on across the street, we think it makes sense to have a medical facility here.”
Atlantic Clinic is located at the corner of 56th Street and Atlantic Avenue, across from a community resource center operated by Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and LA Care Health Plan, and is just steps from the ongoing Long Beach City College development.
“We also need to remember that our work goes beyond this clinic,” Orduna said. “We are called to be advocates for health equity, to seek justice for the underserved and to stand with those facing health disparities. As we serve, let's look beyond our immediate environment and engage in ongoing dialogue and action to address systemic issues that impact the health of our communities.”
After the ribbon cutting, a mariachi band performed as attendees toured the new facility. The event also featured food, drinks, raffles and resource booths.
