Ruth U. Fertel /Tulane Community Health Center joins Access Health Louisiana network

The Ruth U. Fertel/Tulane Community Health Center has joined Access Health Louisiana (AHL), the state"s largest nonprofit network of federally qualified community health centers.

AHL is now responsible for governance and day-to-day operations at the center, while Tulane University physicians will continue to provide patient care. The center will retain its existing name, and its staff has transitioned to being Access Health Louisiana employees.

Pediatric services have been added at the site with plans to expand behavioral health and other offerings later this year. Tulane will continue to manage the Brinton Family Health and Healing Center, located within the clinic, and related outreach and wellness programming.

“This agreement ensures a sustainable future for the center,” said Mark Keiser, AHL executive director and chief executive officer. “Access Health Louisiana is committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective community-based care to the underinsured and uninsured patients in the area of New Orleans currently served. The cross-over has been seamless.”

The agreement not only retains an important primary care training site for Tulane medical students and residents, but also expands training opportunities into Access" seven other full-service community health centers in Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles and St. Tammany parishes.

“It will be a new consortium of eight federally qualified health centers that will be available to improve the quality of care for our community, be a platform for educating the next generation of physicians and for exploring better ways to innovate in terms of healthcare delivery,” said Dr. Benjamin Sachs, senior vice president and dean of Tulane University School of Medicine.

By transitioning to an AHL site, the clinic achieved designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center. This designation is the gold standard for community health centers. The result enhances long-term sustainability for the Fertel/Tulane site and secures entry into key federal programs designed to increase healthcare access in underserved communities.

For more information or to make an appointment, visit www.tuchc.org or call (504) 988-3000.