Portage County residents just got a boost in healthcare options.
Local nonprofits AxessPointe Community Health Centers and Family & Community Services have announced a merger between the two health-centered organizations, forming a partnership that is designed to enhance access to comprehensive healthcare, behavioral healthcare and social services across Portage, Summit, Trumbull and Mahoning counties. The merger took effect Jan. 1.
According to a Jan. 9 press release, the collaboration aligns the organizations’ missions to provide high-quality healthcare and community support, “fostering healthier and stronger communities,” the press release stated. The expanded organization will build upon the existing infrastructure of both entities, integrating primary care, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, social services and community outreach.
“Our merger marks an important milestone in our commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved populations,” said Dr. Demond Scott, chief medical officer of AxessPointe Community Health Center. “Through this collaboration, we are uniting our expertise and resources to create a more robust and integrated healthcare system that will positively impact the lives of thousands of individuals and families in our communities.”
The merger combines AxessPointe’s comprehensive primary care, pediatrics, dental, optometry and pharmacy services with Family & Community Services’ wide range of community support programs and social services that address homelessness and housing issues, transportation gaps, food insecurity, domestic violence, behavioral health and addiction, and gaps in care for youth, seniors and veterans.
Both organizations worked together extensively over the past 18 months to deliberate and plan for the formal partnership. Staff of both AxessPointe and Family & Community Services partnered to organize administrative functions and enhance the collaborative efforts between the two.
“We are excited to formally join forces with AxessPointe to advance our shared vision of comprehensive healthcare and community support,” said Mark Frisone, who has been the chief executive officer of AxessPointe Community Health Centers for the past three years and Family & Community Services for the past 30. “By merging together, we will be better equipped to address the complex needs of our communities and provide them with the resources and services they require to thrive.”
Throughout the merger process, AxessPointe and Family & Community Services have worked to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for employees, stakeholders and those served by each organization. AxessPointe and FCS will continue to operate with their own identities, branding and online presence, with their official tagline: Partners in Community Care.
For additional information about each organization, visit axesspointe.org and fcsserves.org, or follow them on Facebook at @AxessPointe or @FCSserves.
Tom Hardesty is a Portager sports columnist. He was formerly assistant sports editor at the Record-Courier and author of the book Glimpses of Heaven.