Northern Oswego County Health Services Recognizes National Health Center Week

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Northern Oswego County Health Services, Inc. (NOCHSI) is proud to participate in the annual recognition of the efforts of community health centers (CHCs) through the National Health Center Week of August 10-16, 2008.  CHCs are non-profit, health care practices located in medically underserved areas that provide high quality, cost-effective primary health care to anyone seeking care.

As a CHC operating through its Pulaski Health Center, NOCHSI is one of over 1,000 organizations with over 6,200 delivery sites nationwide serving 15 million patients.  By focusing on primary and preventive health care, CHCs reduce costly emergency, hospital and specialty care saving between $9.9 to $17.6 billion a year nationally.  The economic benefits generated to local communities equal $12.5 billion. NOCHSI is one of 47 CHCs throughout New York State serving over 1.1 million patients, 53% of whom are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.

NOCHSI was established in 1969 and provides care to residents regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.  It is governed by a community board of directors, nearly all of whom are users of the health center’s services.  As a CHC, NOCHSI offers a full spectrum of primary and preventive health care services including general primary medical and dental care.  NOCHSI also provides a variety of services not customarily available through private physician offices, including financial assistance, case management, insurance enrollment, and health education.  Several other services are located onsite at its Pulaski Health Center location, including cardiology, family planning, nephrology, physical therapy, podiatry and radiology.

NOCHSI participates in a number of federally supported quality initiatives designed to reduce health care disparities and improving patient outcomes.  It participates in a federally-sponsored chronic disease collaborative that is designed to reduce the incidence and severity of such diseases as asthma, cardiovascular and diabetes.  Care is customized to the specific needs of the community and special group activities and sessions in health education and prevention are conducted.  NOCHSI serves as a training site for students in the medical and dental disciplines.

NOCHSI is a provider of primary medical and behavioral health care through its school-based health center (SBHC) program.  NOCHSI operates four SBHCs among the APW, Sandy Creek and Pulaski Central School Districts.  Care to students is free and is designed to complement the care of the students’ primary care provider.  NOCHSI offers primary care services to students’ families who do not have a routine source of care.

Through its 85 local employees, NOCHSI serves over 11,000 patients comprising nearly 50,000 visits annually.  It is proud to participate in the enduring tradition of community health centers throughout the nation.  NOCHSI staff is delighted with the opportunity to contribute to the economic, health, and social well-being of its central and northern New York community.

Located at 61 Delano Street, in Pulaski, New York, the Pulaski Health Center is a family-oriented health care practice that provides Northern Oswego and Southern Jefferson County residents with a variety of comprehensive health care and related services. The center is accredited through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

For additional information on the services provided through Pulaski Health Center please contact (315) 298-6564.

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