Marram Health Center marked their spot in Northwest Indiana on April 13, 2016 with a ribbon cutting. The Center opened its doors in early December 2015 and has helped hundreds of people already, but Marram needed and deserved an official welcome into the Gary community.
Marram is a federally qualified health center that is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration. The Center offers a list of comprehensive health services to individuals of all ages in the local communities.
“We’re here today to promote a healthy lifestyle,” Mark Lopez, Chief of Staff, Office of Congressman Pete Visclosky said. “[Marram] is promoting an opportunity for individuals to have a place to go to receive care if they are underinsured or uninsured; to have a place for people who used to worry at night that if their family got sick, ‘Where would they be taken and how much would it cost?’ That facility that we are standing in today is that beacon of hope for so many individuals.”
“This entity with Rocco and his staff and everybody else involved really hit the ground running to become a part of this community,” Chuck Hughes, Executive Director for the Gary Chamber of Commerce said. “They didn’t wait until this open house to become members of the Gary Chamber of Commerce, to support the community, and to have a presence in the community... You are establishing a whole new blue print for businesses that come into the community.”
The ribbon cutting was held in the morning and many people showed up to commemorate the occasion including representatives from Congressman Pete Visclosky’s Office the Gary Chamber of Commerce, the City of Gary, Porter-Starke Services, as well as staff from Marram itself.
“This clinic is going to be a success because of everyone that is here today,” Rocco Schiralli, President and CEO of Marram Health Center said. “Two years ago this was just a vision… A common question that was asked often was ‘Why do you want to open a health clinic in Gary?’ First off, Gary is a great place to open a business. This area was underserved as far as medical care went.”
Medical care is something that is shied away from for multiple reasons: time, price, and insurance. Marram offers service to individuals regardless of their ability to pay, and there are individuals on staff who can help patients navigate the challenging terrain that is insurance.
“This is a very emotional day for me because I know that this is a step toward improving the quality of health in Gary,” Roland Walker, M.D., Medical Director of Marram Health Center said. “I’m really thankful for everyone’s support, and now the hard work begins.”
For more information on the Marram Health Center, visit http://www.marramhealth.org/, call 219-806-3000, visit them on Facebook, or check out their Partner Profile on NWIndianaLife.com.
Marram Health Center services include:
- Adult Primary Care
- Medical Screening and Diagnostic Lab
- Voluntary Family Planning
- Immunizations
- Well Child Checks and Pediatric Care
- Behavioral Health Screening & Treatment
- Care Coordination and Referral for Specialty Services
- Health Education and Nutrition Services
- Health Insurance Enrollment Access
