Berwyn, IL - On Tuesday, September 20, 2011 PCC Community Wellness Center celebrated the grand opening of the newly relocated and expanded PCC South Family Health Center, along with Berwyn civic officials, local business owners, community board members, as well as PCC staff, family and friends. PCC South Family Health Center represents a $4 million investment through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Facility Investment Program. This facility was designed to meet the requirements for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification, from the U.S. Green Buildings Council. Berwyn Mayor, Robert J. Lovero, was in attendance at the event, and addressed that healthcare is a growing business, but that we are short on community health facilities. He stated that PCC is “answering a need in the community” and personally thanked PCC, Pat Thompson architect for the architectural firm Manske Dieckmann Thompson, and Madison Construction Company Inc. for their vision, and “what they have done to make this beautiful creation”. PCC’s new South Family Health Center is located at 6201 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL 60402.

The morning’s agenda for the grand opening ceremony allowed PCC’s visitors to explore the facility on tours and learn more about PCC services and programs. Beginning in late-2011, comprehensive dental care will be offered as part of the center’s primary health services. One of the most popular stops on the tour was the five operatory dental suite which is where Dr. Ryan Tuscher, PCC’s Dental Director & Dentist highlighted the future use of the space, consisting of computerized dental health records and monitors at every station that will be used to project the patient’s x-ray results as well as play DVDs to entertain anxious youth. Another popular stop was the Lactation Room, a private space dedicated entirely to breastfeeding, education and support. Guests and staff also enjoyed delicious refreshments, catered by Food for Thought. PCC’s ribbon cutting ceremony began with remarks by Robert Urso, PCC’s President & CEO. Mr. Urso encouraged guests and staff to join with him in celebrating in the grand opening of the South Family Health Center. “We are extremely proud of this accomplishment, and grateful for all of your support,” Mr. Urso said. He specifically thanked Ceal Bacom, Certified Nurse Midwife and Director of Advanced Practice Nursing at PCC, for discovering “our new home” and the potential that she saw in a building just three blocks west from the previous PCC South facility.

The following guests shared remarks during the grand opening ceremony, Mayor Robert J. Lovero; Alderman Cesar Santoy, Berwyn 5th Ward; Ron Austin, Chairperson for PCC’s Board of Directors; State Representative Elizabeth Hernandez, 24th District; and Ellen Germaine, a patient of PCC South Family Health Center. Ms. Hernandez stated that she has been “fighting to make healthcare more accessible”. Furthermore, she recognizes that Illinois’ health care services have been increasing and expanding, but that it’s “still not enough and we are still going to fight.” Mr. Santoy shared his excitement for PCC’s new facility which he feels will “complement and enhance growth on Roosevelt Road”. He is “thrilled that PCC decided to make Berwyn their home.”

Ellen Germaine, PCC patient and Berwyn resident, shared her story of how PCC “restored her dignity”. A few years back, Ellen found herself in need of care, with no insurance, or knowledge of what to do. She was bounced around through a system of static that was not able to comprehensibly manage her care or meet her needs as a patient. Then, she was referred to PCC. Dr. Baldoceda, Medical Director at PCC South, was the first doctor to ask Ellen, “How can I help YOU, today?” Ellen stated that she “cannot express the power she felt behind those words”. She felt that those words were a “true outward manifestation of PCC’s care for other people”. PCC Community Wellness Center is a not-for-profit community health center network with ten health centers dedicated to providing comprehensive high-quality, accessible primary health care, preventive education and supportive services, specializing in the delivery of comprehensive maternal and child health services.

For more information about PCC sites and services, and to learn more about the PCC South Family Health Center, please contact Toni Bush at (708) 524-7687. For more information about this topic or to schedule an interview, please contact Toni Bush at (708) 524-7687 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.