Patients welcome Norwich facility
John Shishmanian/ Norwich Bulletin Dr. Ramindra Walia gives a physical to 9 day old Jayden Demars of Norwich at United Community & Family Servicses Health Center in Norwich. Jayden's meother, Patty Grasso, 20, looks on. |
By ERICA JACOBSON
Norwich Bulletin
NORWICH -- Patty Grasso stood with her infant son in her arms Wednesday morning in an examining room, wrapping and rewrapping 9-day-old Jayden Demars to keep him warm.
"That sound is absolutely normal," Dr. Ramindra Walia told her, listening to soft, small noises made by the baby. "His mouth is closed. He's breathing through his nose."
The Norwich woman had brought her child to the United Community and Family Services Health Center in Norwich because her son had stopped breathing briefly that morning after mucus and formula had come through the baby's nose. The visit with Walia was a follow-up to an earlier stop at the emergency room.
"I'm going to be here a lot," Grasso said. "This is my second family."
Walia watched Grasso re-dress her son for the trip home.
"If you're worried, don't hesitate to come," he said.
The center reflects the changing face of New London County residents.
A large wall hanging with "Welcome" in several different languages greets visitors to the office, and the center retains a telephone translation service. The organization has formed relationships with 60 schools to bring yearly dental exams and care to schoolchildren, as well as creating alliances with regional doctors and The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich.
Sue Peters is the chief operating officer of outpatient services. She said the center serves residents of the county's cities well, but needs to reach out into the more rural towns.
"Not everybody knows that we're here," Peters said.
Ultimately, she said she'd like to see the facility expand and grow in its offerings. The center also is able to implement a prescription drug program for its clients, Peters said, as well as become more diverse in its health offerings, so patients can make one stop for their needs.
For Jessica Colon of Norwich, the center already is incredibly convenient.
"I have four kids, so I come here quite often" she said as her daughter, Tamia Colon, 2, bounded around the examining room with a "Blues Clues" on her forehead waiting for the rest of a physical scheduled for that morning. "So far, I haven't left, so that means they're good."
She said the center takes new patients and state insurance without a long waiting list, something other medical offices can't provided. Without the center, Colon said, her children's health needs might not get the attention they need right away.
"As far as their health," she said, "it would be delayed
