When Catherine's Health Center had the opportunity to relocate from its cramped 1,200 square feet in the basement of St. Alphonsus Church to three times the space in a LEED-certified property, it was all systems go. On Feb. 14, the free health clinic celebrated its 15-year anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new digs in the former St. Alphonsus Elementary School (1211 Lafayette Ave. NE, Grand Rapids).

The center offers no-cost healthcare to Creston and Belknap residents who are uninsured and underinsured. When operating at full capacity, the new 6,800-square-foot center will be able to serve 1,200 to 1,500 patients a month -- an increase of 700 to 1,100 patients per month, says Development Director Janet Zahn.

"We have six exam rooms, plus two treatment rooms for additional services we'll soon offer," Zahn says. "For instance, we're working on an agreement to bring in optical services for diabetic patients that need dilated-eye exams, and we'll also have room for the rotation of different providers like physical therapists, podiatry and therapeutic massage. We're still forming the relationships and the plans are in the making."

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