In a significant development for healthcare accessibility in Carbondale, The Wright Center has opened a new facility, with Bryan Boyle stepping in as the medical director. This move marks Boyle’s return to his hometown, fulfilling a personal mission to contribute to the community that played a crucial role in his upbringing.
“It was a full-circle moment coming here. Having that opportunity to kind of give back to the community that I felt honestly helped raise me was honestly very rewarding,” Boyle expressed. “Especially coming in to see all these familiar faces, it always helps. I say that I try to treat my patients like they’re my friends.”
The Wright Center’s New Milestones
This month, The Wright Center celebrated the launch of its Carbondale location, along with the upgraded status of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This new designation, granted by the federal government, elevates the center from its previous status as a health center look-alike.
According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, FQHCs are essential facilities that provide primary care services in medically underserved areas, irrespective of patients’ financial capabilities. These centers operate on a sliding scale fee structure based on patients’ ability to pay.
U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Luzerne) noted, “The designation itself gives The Wright Center an increased opportunity for federal grants to provide care to our underserved populations, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.”
Federal Designation Opens New Doors
To achieve the FQHC status, The Wright Center met stringent guidelines set by the federal Health Resources Service Administration, which include specific service and accessibility criteria. With this new designation, the center is now eligible for Section 330 funding, which supports primary care services in underserved communities, a benefit they previously could not access as a look-alike.
“The new status is unlocking a whole new pool of funding opportunities for The Wright Center,” Bresnahan added. This funding will help the center assist vulnerable populations, including providing essential services like addiction treatment and career resources.
April Savage-Mushow, the site coordinator and clinical administrative assistant at the Carbondale location, highlighted the importance of these resources, especially given the rise in homelessness in the area. “By us being here, the resources that being an FQHC has given us allows us to provide them the assistance they need,” she said.
Providing Comprehensive Care
The center offers a range of services, including primary care for both pediatric and adult patients, addiction services, and mental health support through a partnership with Friendship House. The facility also provides convenient walk-in services, making healthcare more accessible to the local community.
Boyle has already received positive feedback from patients who appreciate the location’s accessibility. “They said that it was so nice to be able to walk to somebody that they’re familiar with and not have to drive almost an hour to just get to their healthcare provider,” Boyle mentioned.
Despite the presence of other primary care providers in Carbondale, The Wright Center distinguishes itself by accepting patients with various insurance types, offering flexibility and options. Savage-Mushow emphasized that transportation challenges in the area make such accessibility crucial for residents, particularly those in low-income housing or without personal transport.
Boyle underscores the center’s commitment to serving all patients, saying, “A lot of our patients have that ability now to walk to the clinic and not have to worry about being overbilled or not being able to be seen because they can’t afford it.”
