Submitted by Unity Care NW
In response to the growing need for access to medical, dental, behavioral health care, and pharmacy in north Whatcom County, Unity Care NW will build a new clinical facility that will expand access to more community members. In addition, Unity Care NW will build an on-site pharmacy and lab to better serve patients.
In 2014, Unity Care NW completed a strategic plan and identified the relocation and expansion of its Ferndale Health Center to be a strategic priority, with the goal of the health center being located and sized to serve the entire northwest portion of Whatcom County. A site was selected close to the Portal Way I-5 freeway exit to facilitate access from communities to the north. RMC Architects was hired with a goal to complete architectural planning by May 2016. Construction is anticipated to begin the summer of 2017, providing required financing is assembled.
Architectural planning suggests the need for 23,393 SF of space to accommodate growing needs. When fully staffed in 2021, the new health center will serve 9,500 patients, providing 42,875 visits, 64 full-time equivalent jobs, and will be the largest medical facility in north Whatcom County.
Unity Care NW is a non-profit provider of primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services governed by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom are clinic patients. Unity Care NW provides a sliding fee scale to assure that services are available regardless of the ability to pay. Our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the communities and people that we serve.
