PHOTOS & VIDEO: U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, Senator Bob Menendez, Senator Bob Singer and other officials joined Mayor Miller and Dr. Theresa Berger, CEO of Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI) – a federally qualified healthcare center – at the Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon-Cutting of OHI’s newly renovated Lakewood medical facility on Second Street.           

In less than 10 years, OHI has grown from a small one-floor health clinic in Lakewood to three Ocean County locations and a mobile medical unit, underscoring the need for healthcare services, specifically in Lakewood. The Lakewood site renovations were made possible with a portion of the $4.7 million Facility Investment Program (FIP), offered through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

The grant provided funding for the addition of two stories, including 20 exams rooms, an administrative area, and a new state-of-the art 8,000 square-foot OB/GYN and Pediatric wing. The renovation and alteration of existing site cumulated the addition of 16,000 square feet.  The added space has allowed OHI to expand its service hours, increase its ability to see more patients annually, and add to its existing primary care services.           

Dr. Berger said, “The renovation will help OHI better serve the Ocean County community and its residents who are in need of high-quality, low-cost primary care services. Our ribbon-cutting will also provide Lakewood, Ocean County residents, and state officials with the opportunity to see how the government’s ARRA funding was able to transform the Lakewood site, increase OHI’s ability to better serve the residents of Ocean County, and to show the use of ARRA funds at its best.”

After a ribbon cutting ceremony, the officials were given a tour of the new facility. TLS.