1 / 2 Lower Columbia Community Health Centre Network Society Board members Linda Sawchenko, Win Mott, Catherine Ellison, and Project Manager Jen Schmidt celebrate securing the new downtown Trail location with a symbolic start to renovations.(Submitted)
Rossland News Sheri Regnier December 10 2024
Lower Columbia CHC will be housed in the Riverfront Building on Dewdney Avenue, near the Victoria Street Bridge in downtown Trail.
The Lower Columbia Community Health Centre (Lower Columbia CHC), a new primary care facility designed to complement existing medical services in the region, has announced its future location in downtown Trail.
Located on the ground floor of the Kootenay Savings Credit Union Riverfront Building at 1101 Dewdney Avenue, the Lower Columbia CHC is scheduled to open in Spring 2025.
The centre promises to deliver a forward-thinking, community-focused approach to healthcare for residents across the Lower Columbia region.
“This marks a major milestone for the Lower Columbia CHC initiative,” said Dr. Tobias Gelber, a family practitioner in the Lower Columbia region. “Securing this space not only takes us to the next step of renovating and preparing for patients, but it also ensures that as we recruit more physicians, other practitioners, and staff, we’ll have an amazing place for them to call their work home.”
The Lower Columbia CHC will operate as a not-for-profit organization with a mission of “prioritizing equity, accessibility, and innovation in healthcare delivery.”
Its team-based care model will include family doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, counsellors, and community outreach workers. This holistic approach aims to provide comprehensive support, addressing both medical and wellness needs.
“We are incredibly proud to support the Lower Columbia Community Health Centre as they embark on this exciting new chapter,” said Mark McLoughlin, CEO of Kootenay Savings Credit Union.
“Their mission aligns seamlessly with our values and our commitment to enriching the communities we serve. By working together, we can enhance access to essential services that will have a profound impact on the well-being of our neighbours, families, and businesses.”
Key features of the Lower Columbia CHC will include comprehensive, holistic care such as chronic and complex care management, same-day appointments for patients, wellness initiatives, and community outreach programs. The centre will also focus on “culturally safe care and addressing social determinants of health such as housing, food security, and transportation.”
The non-profit operational model is designed to reduce administrative burdens and enhance workplace satisfaction for healthcare providers.
