New Edmonds clinic targets low-income, those without insurance

EDMONDS — Dental exam rooms filled with natural light. A gentle waterfall fed with water from the building’s roof. And pavement and sidewalks that allow water to filter through rather than run over them.

These are some of the environmental design features of a new $10.5 million building opening Monday morning by the nonprofit Community Health Center of Snohomish County.

It’s expected to treat 5,600 medical patients and 2,300 dental patients in its first year, said Bob Farrell, the nonprofit’s chief executive. Both medical and dental services are available to children and adults.

The need for additional dental services has been especially acute, Farrell said. The organization is often booked months in advance for appointments. “We’re hoping this provides some relief,” he said.

The clinic helps fill a need for basic medical services, said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District. “I don’t believe we have enough primary care providers in the community, and in particular to serve the newly insured and those who remained uninsured,” he said.

The Edmonds clinic is the latest medical facility opened by the nonprofit Community Health Center of Snohomish County, which was founded in 1983. The organization provides medical and dental services to anyone but targets low-income patients and those without health insurance. It has clinics in Arlington, Lynnwood and two in Everett, treating 37,000 patients.

The new 25,000-square-foot building at 23320 Highway 99 in Edmonds has 22 medical exam rooms, 10 dental treatment areas and an on-site pharmacy.

It replaces the temporary quarters the organization opened adjacent to Swedish/Edmonds hospital in 2011. That clinic treated about 3,500 patients a year, so the opening of the new, larger quarters in Edmonds is a welcome change, said Dr. Andrew Perry, the clinical director of the Edmonds medical clinic.

The clinic’s location, just off Highway 99, will make it easier to find for people who previously felt there wasn’t a doctor who would see patients who were uninsured, or who recently got health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, he said.

The clinic’s on-site pharmacy can provide discounted medications for people who don’t have health insurance. Its medical staff includes internal medicine specialists, pediatric and family practice doctors. The clinic hopes to add obstetrics, or pregnancy and baby delivery services.

“We know there are lots of people out there who need our services,” Perry said. “We’re trying to get the word out as broadly as possible for people who might need us to let them know that there is affordable health care, even if you don’t have insurance.” The clinic provides medical and dental services to the uninsured on a sliding fee, based on household income.

The building was designed to have a lot of natural light and still be energy efficient, said Rebecca Cook, an architect with Miller Hayashi Architects in Seattle.

The building’s energy efficiencies are expected to cut energy costs by 31 percent, she said. It has received a gold, or second-highest ranking, for energy efficiency from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Rainwater that soaks through the site’s sidewalks and parking lots is collected in large underground vaults that filter and slowly release it. These and other steps are expected to reduce runoff by approximately 70 percent, Cook said.

“We’re right up the hill from Lake Ballinger,” she said. “A lot of care was taken to get that right.”

Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling said the clinic is an important addition to the community not only for the quality of services, but also because it’s aesthetically pleasing.

“It gives us more and better access for the citizens of Edmonds and the surrounding area,” he said.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

Appointments

The nonprofit Community Health Center of Snohomish County’s Edmonds clinic, which is scheduled to open for appointments Monday morning, provides medical and dental services. Services are available to patients who have Apple Health, Medicaid, Medicare, most private insurance plans and to the uninsured. The building is at 23320 Highway 99 in Edmonds. Call 425-640-5500 for medical appointments and 425-640-5533 for dental appointments.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.