A new primary care facility designed to enhance healthcare access for older adults has officially opened in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. TeamCare Medical launched its latest health hub at 629 Park Place with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this month, attended by healthcare leaders, elected officials, and community partners. This facility aims to provide comprehensive, community-centered services that integrate medical care and social support.
According to Ziad Farah, MD, MBA, chief medical officer of TeamCare, the initiative emphasizes accessibility and collaboration. “We’re delivering a whole care approach in our program,” Farah stated in an interview prior to the event. He highlighted the necessity of offering healthcare directly in neighborhoods, particularly for older adults, who often face challenges in accessing care. “There’s a need in healthcare to bring care locally, make it close, make it accessible,” he explained.
The design of the new facility reflects its mission. The first floor will house primary care and aligned specialty services, while the second floor is dedicated to a social daycare program. This space aims to keep older adults engaged and socially active, enhancing their overall well-being.
Tara Buonocore-Rut, president and CEO of CenterLight Health System and TeamCare Medical, stated that the model builds on decades of experience in senior care through the PACE program (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly). “CenterLight has always championed innovation and holistic models of care,” she noted during her presentation.
For over 40 years, CenterLight has been recognized as a leader in providing comprehensive care for older adults across New York City. Buonocore-Rut emphasized that while the PACE program is considered a gold standard for coordinated care, many older adults remain ineligible for its services. “There’s a disparity between people who are eligible and not eligible for PACE services,” she remarked. “What we’re trying to do with this location and with TeamCare Medical is to provide and coordinate high-quality primary care holistically to people who could benefit from PACE but aren’t eligible.”
The inclusion of a social daycare component is crucial, according to Buonocore-Rut. She pointed out that social isolation can be as detrimental as untreated medical conditions. “One of the keys to making sure that people age independently is keeping them in a community, socialized, engaged,” she explained.
By offering a facility where older adults can receive medical care, meals, and social interaction all in one place, TeamCare Medical seeks to improve both health outcomes and quality of life. “Bringing them to a location, keeping them engaged, giving them access to all these wonderful things is amazing for their health and well-being,” Buonocore-Rut added.
The new health hub at 629 Park Place is now open and ready to serve the community. For more information about the services offered, please visit TeamCare Medical’s website.
