Evergreen Health gets $250,000 to develop health center

Evergreen Health recently received $250,000 from KeyBank, in partnership with the First Niagara Foundation, which will support Evergreen’s recent acquisition of People Inc.’s primary care practice and intent to establish a location for primary care services at 1870 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo. This marks KeyBank’s first monetary contribution to Evergreen Health.

“We are extremely grateful for this significant level of support provided by KeyBank and the First Niagara Foundation, as we look ahead to bringing People Inc.’s primary care patients into the Evergreen family,” said Raymond Ganoe, president and CEO of Evergreen Health. “Evergreen’s recent expansion, through our acquisition of People Inc.’s Article 28 operations, was a result of People Inc. seeking a partner with a shared mission of serving those who are underserved by the healthcare system. We have found in KeyBank what People Inc. found in us — and their support will allow us to realize our full potential for serving our new patients.”

KeyBank’s donation will supply Evergreen with necessary resources, including medical equipment and furniture, to expand its patient population, particularly individuals with disabling conditions or other special needs, at 1870 Elmwood Ave.

In February, Evergreen Health announced its partnership with People Inc., particularly its acquisition of the People Inc. Elmwood Health Center Primary Care clinic (Article 28). Once the transition occurs later this year, Evergreen will serve 5,000 new patients, in addition to its annual patient population, made up of 14,000 individuals.

Evergreen intends to open a new primary care clinic on Elmwood Avenue, by leasing space in the building, which will remain owned and operated by People Inc. The new clinic will fall under Evergreen’s federally qualified health center look-alike scope of services and include primary care services, as well as gynecology, podiatry and neurology, and services for individuals with disabling conditions and other special needs.

“It is our mission at KeyBank to support programs and organizations that address the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors by providing the resources necessary to support the underserved,” said Elizabeth Gurney, executive director of the KeyBank and First Niagara foundations. “Evergreen’s new primary care clinic will fill a critical need in our city by providing high quality medical care for those in need to achieve greater health and well-being.”