OGDENSBURG - Since opening their doors in January 2020, Community Health Center of the North Country has experienced a steady stream of area residents seeking medical care.

The 102 Ford Street primary care facility is one of four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) operated by Community Health Center of the North Country (CHCNC). Health centers are also based in Canton, Gouverneur and Malone. CHCNC also operates an optometry center in Watertown. “We’ve had a very successful and productive year that shows there is a need for us in Ogdensburg,” said Ray Babowicz, director of marketing and communications. “Looking back, a needs assessment showed a need for healthcare particularly for the underserved,lower income and elderly populations.”

Just a few months after opening the Ogdensburg facility, the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

Babowicz applauded city government and area healthcare facilities, such as the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, businesses, and the community at large who worked as a team to persevere during a challenging first year.

Last year began with just primary and pediatric care offered at the Ogdensburg center. As the initial lockdown subsided, the team was able to open six state of the art dental suites to the community.

In early 2021, the Behavioral Health and Substance Use Care Coordination wing sprung into operation.

Community Health Centers nationwide played a pivotal role in the battle against Covid-19. Statistics showed that as of January 15, Community Health Centers had performed Covid tests on more than eight million people and administered nearly 150,000 vaccines.

The primary care providers are Dr. Andrew Williams, chief medical officer; Georgia Hargrave, certified family nurse practitioner; Hillary Heaton, family nurse practitioner; and Danyelle Frantz, family nurse practitioner. The dental care team consists of Dr. Nicholas Gardner and Dr. Natashya Frazer.

The behavioral health team include Gregory Hooper and Melissa Bouchey. An open house for the community will be announced at a later date.

To schedule an appointment in Ogdensburg, call 315-713-9350. Community Health Center hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For an appointment in Canton, call 315-386-8191; in Gouverneur 315-287-4440; and in Malone 518-483-0109.

Since 2007, Community Health Center of the North Country both in St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties has been offering primary, dental, behavioral, pediatric care, and eye care to all residents of the North Country, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

In 2012, construction of a new building in Malone was completed. In 2013, to help fill the healthcare void when the E.J. Noble Hospital in Gouverneur closed, CHCNC opened its Gouverneur center.

In 2015, CHCNC assumed administration of the WIC program in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, and integrated their teams into health centers to improve access to care.

The mission of CHCNC is to provide comprehensive, accessible health and human services in the counties of Northern New York, and to offer services to people of all income levels with a special commitment to low income, medically underserved individuals, and people with disabilities.

For more information, visit www.chcnorthcountry.org .