SCRANTON, PA — The Wright Center for Community Health is partnering with Friendship House to improve access to whole-person primary health services, especially for individuals with complex mental health and/or substance use disorder needs. 

On Tuesday, November 5, the Wright Center will offer primary health services at Friendship House’s new Whole Person Care Center, 200 Wyoming Ave., Suite 250. The center will provide services such as checkups, physicals, screenings, as well as treatment for common illnesses and injuries. These services will be available to individuals of all ages, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code or ability to pay. 

Patients do not need to be clients of Friendship House to receive care at the Wright Center’s new location. 

The partnership allows the Wright Center to improve access to essential primary health care services for the people who use Friendship House, said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president/CEO of the Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. 

Friendship House provides support to children, adolescents and adults facing developmental disabilities, emotional or behavioral challenges, or the effects of trauma from loss, abuse or neglect. In March 2022, the nonprofit acquired the two-story, 22,000-square-foot facility, which spans the Davidow building at 200-216 Wyoming Ave. and the former Murray building at 413-415 Biden St. 

The new center’s goal is to integrate mental health, substance use disorder and physical health services, improving health outcomes while optimizing the use of resources, a Wright Center spokesperson said. Along with the center’s health services, Friendship House will offer mental health and substance use disorder services, and the Prescription Center will provide pharmacy services.

“This integrated model will enhance care coordination and improve patient care outcomes, especially in terms of chronic medical condition management,” said Kathleen Barry, deputy chief operating officer of the Wright Center for Community Health. 

The Wright Center and Friendship House treat patients of all ages, income levels and insurance statuses.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the new facility on October 24, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright presented Alex Hazzouri, president/CEO of Friendship House, and Dr. Thomas-Hemak with a certificate of Congressional recognition for opening the Whole Person Care Center. “Every person in the community deserves access to health care,” he said. 

The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, has a growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne and Wyoming countiess. To make an appointment or for more information, visit www.TheWrightCenter.org or call 570/342-5353.