Hennepin County Medical Center’s Whittier Clinic is currently in the process of opening its brand new, state-of the-art medical facility which will provide access to multi-specialty care right in the neighborhood. The new clinic will replace the existing Family Medical Center, one of HCMC’s four neighborhood clinics.The current clinic serves a 60 % Hispanic community, also providing help to African Americans and South East Asians. For 25 years Family Medical Center has served a number of patients in South Minneapolis. HCMC hopes the new clinic will better serve their already large patient base and potentially serve more of the immigrant populations in the area.
One of the big things the new clinic plans to provide is more space explained Jerry Potts, MD, Chief of Family Medicine at HCMC. “We had outgrown our facility, and if we didn’t do something, we would have eventually had to stop seeing new patients.”
Besides providing more space, the 59,200 square foot building also provides energy. Green and energy sufficient, many of its outside amenities recycle and help preserve energy, which helps give back to the community and cut back on cost.
HCMC worked with architects to build pleasant and healing environment centered on nature. “We paid close attention to the needs of our patients when we went to the drawing board for this new building. We asked them for input, and they gave us thoughtful advice on what was important to them,” explains HCMC Facilities Director Tom Bravo. “Patients contributed to the planning process, we really feel like Whittier Clinic is a reflection of this community.”
The new building also has high ceilings, large glass windows and a theme of warm colors: blue, purple, orange, and green. The color themes can be seen in the carpet, furniture, and the symbols used to distinguish each form of care carried through out the building. Colors not only serve as healers but as reading tools for many of the patients the current Whittier clinic serve and plan on serving who do not speak English.
While Whittier Clinic will continue to provide primary care (family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology), patients will also have access to specialists in orthopedics, cardiology, sports medicine, integrative health, physical therapy and surgery at the new facility.
The new building also plans to provide the neighborhood with education on the importance of having a primary care provider. “I want to make it welcoming for patients,” said Potts, he wants patients to enjoy what can be an often uncomfortable visit to the doctor’s office.
“Patients now have access to more specialty care services right in their neighborhood, instead of having to travel downtown to see a specialist,” said Potts. The new building will offer patients free parking and easy excess from bus stops. The new facility has two entrances, one for cars and one located right in front of the 28th and Nicollet bus stop.
Community members will have a chance to visit the clinic located two blocks north of the original clinic at 2810 Nicollet Avenue when it celebrates its opening October 30th. From 2 to 5 p.m. visitors will be able to meet staff and enjoy refreshments, prizes, music and games. The new Whittier Clinic will officially open October 18th and begin serving patients.
Potts says “I want patients to find it a good experience and that we met their needs.”
