Refuah Health Center Receives CDC Funding to Combat Health Disparities in Rural New York

[New Square, New York] — Refuah Health Center (RefuahHealth), a federally qualified community health center headquartered in Rockland County, NY, is pleased to announce it has been awarded funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The award will support the Center’s initiatives to address health disparities in Upstate New York, specifically rural residents affected disproportionately by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With CDC funding, RefuahHealth will increase mobile medical services with the addition of one new mobile unit to increase access in Sullivan County. This initiative enhances the RefuahHealth’s capacity to deliver healthcare services directly to rural communities, which continue to face some of New York State’s most significant health challenges.

Since 2011, RefuahHealth has offered year-round primary care to Sullivan County families on a sliding-fee discount schedule regardless of ability to pay. In addition to four service sites in Rockland County, RefuahHealth operates upstate locations in South Fallsburg and Liberty, NY. The new mobile clinic will complement RefuahHealth’s existing facilities and fleet of mobile medical vans, providing an array of services including urgent care, vaccinations, COVID-19 clinical and non-clinical services, and health screenings to those in geographically isolated areas.

“Our commitment to support Sullivan County communities remains strong. We are eager to continue bridging gaps in healthcare access through our mobile units, especially for those facing economic, geographical, and linguistic barriers,” said Chanie Sternberg, President and CEO of RefuahHealth.

The introduction of the mobile clinic is part of Refuah’s ongoing commitment to ensure accessible comprehensive, quality healthcare services with the aim of improving health outcomes and advancing health equity throughout the region.

RefuahHealth, a community cornerstone for over 30 years, provides comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health care, including select medical specialties, to residents across Rockland and Sullivan counties in New York’s lower Hudson Valley. Per the US Department of Health and Human Services, RefuahHealth is a 501(c)3 Federally Qualified Community Health Center. More information about the services provided by RefuahHealth is available online at www.refuahhealth.org.