LAKE PLACID — Pending approval from New York State and the Health Resources and Services Administration, Hudson Headwaters Health Network plans to open a new primary care health center, Family Health at Lake Placid, this summer.
The Network will operate the practice on the first floor of the facility located at 203 Old Military Road, in Lake Placid, owned by Adirondack Health. Hudson Headwaters Family Health at Lake Placid is approximately 3,500 square feet and equipped with five exam rooms. Renovations to Hudson Headwaters’ space began March 18.
“As a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), our mission is to expand primary care access,” Hudson Headwaters CEO Tucker Slingerland, M.D. said.
“The new location in Lake Placid will be a helpful addition to the vital primary care access that has been provided by Adirondack Health, a fellow safety-net provider, and other providers for many years.”
Family Health at Lake Placid will focus on comprehensive advanced primary care services such as family medicine, care management, family planning (birth control), preventive women’s health services (pap smears) and integrated behavioral health. The center will also address patients’ acute needs as they arise via same-day access.
“Although Family Health at Lake Placid is not an emergency department or urgent care facility, we understand that access is important to the community,” Melissa Gooley, RN, regional practice leader – northern region, said.
“Same-day appointments will be built into our scheduling for enrolled patients of Hudson Headwaters and will also be available for community members who are not yet patients, as space allows. Best case scenario, community members will enroll as primary care patients before an acute situation arises.”
Examples of acute needs that are appropriate for same-day appointment requests include non-life-threatening concerns such as cough, cold or flu, rashes, ear infections, urinary tract infections and minor injuries like sprains and bruises.
For circumstances that are severe or life-threatening, such as extreme pain, chest pain, difficulty breathing, seizures, serious burns, uncontrollable bleeding, poisoning and/or severe allergic reactions, patients should seek emergency care.
Adirondack Health continues to oversee other services in the facility, including medical imaging, orthopedics, physical therapy and the medical fitness center. Adirondack Health’s primary care practice has not changed and will continue to operate on the second floor of the facility.
“Adirondack Health shares Hudson Headwaters Health Network’s commitment to our Adirondack communities,” Aaron Kramer, Adirondack Health president & CEO, said.
“We are all committed to increasing access to care across the region and feel this is a very positive development for Lake Placid and surrounding communities.”
Hudson Headwaters’ efforts in the tri-lakes region include welcoming new primary care providers at both Saranac Lake Family Health and Tupper Lake Family Health. New providers include Daniel Farrell, M.D., Jennifer Rutz, M.D., Arianne Wilson, M.D., Jaclyn Farrington, FNP and Danielle King, ANP.
Saranac Lake Family Health, located within the Adirondack Medical Center (2249 NY-86, Saranac Lake), recently underwent renovations and expansion, adding 2,000 square feet of space, including six new exam rooms. Tupper Lake Family Health expanded hours and is now open on Fridays. The new primary care center in Lake Placid is the latest action to expand access to high-quality family medicine for tri-lakes residents.
Hudson Headwaters is actively recruiting providers for Family Health at Lake Placid, including board-certified/board-eligible family physicians and internists, and an experienced physician assistant and/or a nurse practitioner.
Candidates interested in these career opportunities may find postings and apply online at HHHN.org/careers.
“As a leading employer and health care Network, we are dedicated to recruiting and retaining staff that will serve our communities for years to come,” Sue Corney, executive vice president of human resources at Hudson Headwaters, said.
“We are excited to become part of the Lake Placid community and encourage candidates with initiative, enthusiasm and compassion to reach out to us about rewarding career possibilities.”
The Network looks forward to updating the community as plans progress.