Howard Brown Health Center to Open New Clinic in Rogers Park
New Co-located Site with Gerber/Hart Library and Archives Will Provide Healthcare, Education, and Cultural Activities
(Chicago, IL, September 29, 2015) – Today, Howard Brown Health Center (Howard Brown) announced plans to open a medical clinic in Rogers Park by the end of 2015. Howard Brown’s new facility will be co-located with Gerber/Hart Library and Archives (Gerber/Hart) and is one of the new opportunities resulting from Howard Brown’s recent designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center.
“We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to better meet the needs of LGBTQ people in Rogers Park, a vibrant neighborhood on Chicago’s far north side and one of the most diverse communities in the city,” said David Ernesto Munar, President and CEO of Howard Brown Health Center. “The new site, located in an emerging hub for LGBTQ culture in Chicago, furthers Howard Brown’s mission to eliminate the disparities in healthcare experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning people. Sharing a space with Gerber/Hart also gives us an exciting opportunity to provide a robust wellness experience that impacts a visitor’s body, mind and spirit.”
Located at 6500 N. Clark Street, the new facility will open its doors and begin providing limited healthcare services by the year’s end. At almost 15,000 square feet, the clinic will offer complete healthcare services by early 2016, featuring primary healthcare services including a sliding scale, behavioral health services, wrap around support services, educational opportunities, and a meeting/event space. The facility will display Gerber/Hart’s unique collection of LGBTQ artifacts and memorabilia from Chicago, giving a rich, contextual experience to visitors and clients.
Founded in 1981, Gerber/Hart Library and Archives is the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ circulating library with over 14,000 volumes, 800 periodical titles, and 100 archival collections. Gerber/Hart moved to its current location in Rogers Park in 2013.
“This partnership is another great milestone for the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning community,” said Carrie Barnett, Board President of Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. “For decades, Gerber/Hart has been an important repository that documents Chicago’s rich LGBTQ history. Sharing a space with Howard Brown will provide new opportunities for the community to learn about and connect with our movement’s beginnings, local leaders, art and contributions to this great city.”
Starting in early 2016, Howard Brown’s new location will offer primary medical care, behavioral health services, STI/HIV screening and treatment, and social services. The new Rogers Park clinic will become Howard Brown’s fifth service location. Howard Brown operates its main clinic at Sheridan and Irving Park, a satellite clinic on Halsted and Melrose, the Broadway Youth Center at Broadway and Wellington, and a research and administrative office at Broadway and Sheridan.
To become a Howard Brown patient, individuals should call 773-388-1600.
Press Inquiries:
Erik Roldan, Communications Manager, Howard Brown Health Center
erikr@howardbrown.org, 773.388.1600 ext. 8661