The Broad Street Clinic – formerly located in the basement at Crossroads Rhode Island – officially opened for business on February 3. The clinic will continue to serve patients experiencing homelessness and other people in the community who need care. The new site – at 228 Broad Street – is just blocks from the previous site at Crossroads.

A ribbon cutting for the clinic was held on January 24, with staff, board members, and community partners in attendance. “This new space shows our commitment to our patients experiencing homelessness; this investment reflects the respect we have for them,” said Merrill Thomas, PCHC President and CEO. “Thank you to our board, who gave the green light to proceed with this investment of almost $2 million.”

Merrill and Broad Street Clinic director Deb Burbank are pictured wielding the scissors at the ribbon cutting while Allison Sciallis, NP, and Dr. Matthew Perry provide support.

“It is hard to believe this day has finally arrived," said Deb. "The team is grateful, extremely excited, and anxious to see patients’ reactions when they arrive for the first time.”

The new site is located on the first floor and offers increased accessibility in a welcoming space with windows and natural light. The new clinic features six medical exam rooms, which is an increase of two from the old space. It also has two negative pressure rooms that can be used to isolate patients with symptoms of potentially infectious diseases. There is a consulting room for behavioral health appointments, nurse case management and community health advocate visits, as well as diabetic teaching by a certified nurse. There is also dedicated space for team meetings.

There is also space for preparing immunizations and medications as well as a separate room for point of care testing-on-site blood sugars, flu testing, etc. Laboratory services from East Side Clinical Laboratory are located onsite and are available to both patients and the general public. Lab services were previously available onsite for only 10 hours a week.

Thank you to all the members of the PCHC team and our project partners who made this new clinic a reality on behalf of our patients.