Press Release: January 5, 2011

DC PRIMARY CARE ASSOCIATION IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT BREAD FOR THE CITY

Washington, DC—The District of Columbia Primary Care Association (DCPCA) is proud to announce the Grand Opening Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony of Bread for the City’s expanded Northwest Center, located at 1525 – 7th Street NW, between 4:00 and 7:00 PM, on Friday, January 7, 2011.

Bread for the City’s $6.8 million expansion project was completed last month at its Northwest Center in the Shaw neighborhood. “DCPCA granted more than $5 million – close to 75 percent of project costs – as part of its Medical Homes DC Capital Projects to Bread for the City. This grant came with significant technical assistance from DCPCA’s advisors in finance and real estate development,” DCPCA Chief Executive Officer Sharon A. Baskerville explained. Bread for the City leveraged DCPCA’s grant with a New Markets Tax Credit, as well as grants from private individuals and foundations, to secure full funding for its project — with no debt.

The renovation was primarily for its health care services. This expansion to its existing facility will permit Bread for the City’s medical clinic to see approximately 9,000 patients annually – up from about 3,000 per year. “This new center will allow Bread for the City to triple its capacity to provide health care to the community – insuring that the District’s under- and uninsured residents receive the high quality health care that they deserve. This new facility is the first major expansion project largely funded by DCPCA’s Capital Projects initiative. DCPCA is proud to be the major funder of this capital project, and of the good work that Bread for the City does in our community. Bread for the City is also one of the six community health centers that participate as early adopters of electronic health records through a health information technology project initiated by DCPCA,” Baskerville said.

The upgrade to Bread for the City’s medical clinic includes more exam rooms, a larger dispensary, a new laboratory, and a dental suite. Their social services department and legal clinic will expand into the space previously occupied by the medical clinic, providing more privacy for client visits. With the help of DC Greenworks, they built a 3,500 square foot green roof, which will reduce storm water runoff, reduce heating and cooling costs, and reduce their input to the urban heat island effect. Other features of their new expansion include a wider reception area, a larger conference room, more restrooms, and office space for administrative and development staff. Bread for the City provides vulnerable District residents with comprehensive services – including medical and dental care for adults and children, legal and social services, case management, food, and clothing.

DCPCA is a nonprofit health care reform organization founded in 1996 to improve the health of DC’s vulnerable residents by ensuring that they receive high quality primary health care – regardless of their ability to pay. DCPCA represents 14 primary care providers in 58 sites across the District of Columbia.

DCPCA – action and innovation for health equity.

The DC Primary Care Association’s Medical Homes DC program is made
possible in part by generous support from the DC Department of Health.

Contact:  Karen A. Szulgit, DCPCA Senior Communications Specialist, (202) 638-0252, extension 214

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