Lorain County Health & Dentistry to Build North Ridgeville Health Center

Lorain County’s Only Safety-Net Provider of Medical and Dental Care Breaks Ground on a 7,750 SF Community Health Center at 35557 Center Ridge Road

For 21 years, Lorain County Health & Dentistry (LCH&D) has delivered high quality primary and preventive health care throughout Lorain County to all persons regardless of ability to pay. This week, LCH&D celebrates the start of construction of a Community Health Center in North Ridgeville, in what will be its 7th Lorain County location. Upon completion, in spring 2024, the one-story facility will bring comprehensive primary care, dentistry and integrated behavioral health services closer to eastern Lorain County and western Cuyahoga County neighborhoods. At full capacity, the Center Ridge Health Center will employ about 15 professional and support staff, bringing the total employee count to 145.

A non-profit, charitable organization designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center, LCH&D currently operates six health centers in Lorain, Elyria and Oberlin. Services across locations include pediatrics, family medicine, OB/women’s health, podiatry, optometry, dentistry, integrated behavioral health and treatment for substance use disorders. The health center also offers enabling services including language interpretation, assistance with transportation, care management and reduced cost pharmacy. In July, LCH&D will open its first onsite (retail) pharmacy at 801 Middle Avenue, Elyria.

“Lorain County Health & Dentistry has a rich history of establishing clinic sites in neighborhoods where we can make a difference,” said Stephanie Wiersma, LCH&D President & CEO. “During strategic planning, we identified North Ridgeville as a growing community that would benefit from our affordable, comprehensive and clinically excellent services. We are very excited to get this project started!”

LCH&D slides fees for qualifying insured, uninsured and underinsured patients according to Federal Poverty Guidelines based upon household income and number of people in the household. The organization accepts Medicaid/Medicare and most all commercial insurances. Individuals do not need to live in Lorain County to access services at any LCH&D site.

“Being the largest safety-net provider in Lorain County comes with great responsibility, and we certainly feel that responsibility in North Ridgeville even at this early stage,” said Todd Tilberg, Chairman, LCH&D Board of Directors. We are very grateful for the warm welcome from Mayor Corcoran and his team, and for the support from our state elected officials. We also thank Nord Family Foundation for helping us to purchase this property.”

LCH&D is an integral part of the local health care landscape. The health center works closely with area hospital systems and community mental health and social service agencies to offer seamless care and services along the care continuum. In 2022, LCH&D served 18,478 Unduplicated Patients of all ages in about 66,000 visits. Of these patients, 91.9% had household income at/below 200% Federal Poverty.

For more information about Lorain County Health & Dentistry, please call (440) 240-1655 or visit us at www.lorainhealth-dentistry.org.