Putnam health center expansion to be eco-friendly

Thursday
Dec 28, 2017 at 2:00 PM Dec 28, 2017 at 2:00 PM

By Stephanie Menders smenders@norwichbulletin.com (860) 425-4256

The expansion of a Putnam health care location is poised to streamline behavioral health services and increase eco-friendly efficiencies in the new year, officials said.

The expansion

According to Generations Family Health Center CEO Arvind Shaw, the Putnam branch at 202 Pomfret St. is slated to have roughly 5,000 square feet more space by the summer. The addition, which will take place on the eastern side of the ground floor, will be the new home of behavioral health services. The construction and subsequent relocation of the department will open up new space in the original floor plan where medical and dental services can expand. 

The health center, which also has offices in Willimatic, Danielson and Norwich, was recently awarded a state grant to the tune of $1.4 million, Shaw said. The health center was tasked with matching 25 percent of the grant.

Eco-friendly

The grant will go toward the new addition as well as outfitting the building with increased modern eco-friendly technology. Along with the addition in square footage, Shaw said six more geothermal wells are scheduled for the site. The Putnam building already uses 18 geothermal wells for heating, which reduces carbon emissions.

"This is an office that I hope will be there for at least 100 years," he said. "If we are building in the 21st century, we should be using 21st century technology."

Shaw said the geothermal technology will increase the building's efficiencies and hopefully contribute to longterm reductions in health care costs.

Increased need

According to My County Health Rankings, which assesses health care and quality of life statistics across the country, Windham County ranks last in the state for both health behaviors and clinical care.

The Putnam locale opened in 2010, though Shaw said they almost immediately outgrew the offices. The Putnam office alone served 5,350 patients a total of 22,352 times in the past 12 months, Shaw said.

"On our application for the grant, we were able to prove to the state that there is still a great level of need in the Northeast region," he said. "People rely on our services."

Thursday
Dec 28, 2017 at 2:00 PM Dec 28, 2017 at 2:00 PM

By Stephanie Menders smenders@norwichbulletin.com (860) 425-4256

The expansion of a Putnam health care location is poised to streamline behavioral health services and increase eco-friendly efficiencies in the new year, officials said.

The expansion

According to Generations Family Health Center CEO Arvind Shaw, the Putnam branch at 202 Pomfret St. is slated to have roughly 5,000 square feet more space by the summer. The addition, which will take place on the eastern side of the ground floor, will be the new home of behavioral health services. The construction and subsequent relocation of the department will open up new space in the original floor plan where medical and dental services can expand. 

The health center, which also has offices in Willimatic, Danielson and Norwich, was recently awarded a state grant to the tune of $1.4 million, Shaw said. The health center was tasked with matching 25 percent of the grant.

Eco-friendly

The grant will go toward the new addition as well as outfitting the building with increased modern eco-friendly technology. Along with the addition in square footage, Shaw said six more geothermal wells are scheduled for the site. The Putnam building already uses 18 geothermal wells for heating, which reduces carbon emissions.

"This is an office that I hope will be there for at least 100 years," he said. "If we are building in the 21st century, we should be using 21st century technology."

Shaw said the geothermal technology will increase the building's efficiencies and hopefully contribute to longterm reductions in health care costs.

Increased need

According to My County Health Rankings, which assesses health care and quality of life statistics across the country, Windham County ranks last in the state for both health behaviors and clinical care.

The Putnam locale opened in 2010, though Shaw said they almost immediately outgrew the offices. The Putnam office alone served 5,350 patients a total of 22,352 times in the past 12 months, Shaw said.

"On our application for the grant, we were able to prove to the state that there is still a great level of need in the Northeast region," he said. "People rely on our services."

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