Renovation will add exam rooms, a dedicated behavioral health space and an expanded on-site lab, growing capacity to serve more than 10,000 patients a year
CHICAGO — Howard Brown Health today announced plans to renovate and improve its care center at 6500 N. Clark St. in Rogers Park into a more modern, accessible, efficient and integrated community health center. The renovation will enhance primary care, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, diagnostic testing, case management and social service support together in one coordinated setting. Once complete, Howard Brown anticipates the site will serve more than 10,000 patients each year — an increase of about 2,400 — and provide an estimated 28,000 to 32,000 patient encounters annually.
Construction is expected to begin in spring of 2027. These improvements are made possible through a $3 million capital construction grant from the State of Illinois as part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s investment in 21 community health centers across the state through Rebuild Illinois. The need in the surrounding community is well documented with Rogers Park federally designated as both a Medically Underserved Area and a Low-Income Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area.
“This investment is an important vote of confidence in the work our teams do every day to provide high-quality, integrated, patient-centered care to LGBTQ+ people and all who need it,” said Dr. Travis Gayles, President and CEO of Howard Brown Health. “This expansion also comes at an important time. As health care needs continue to evolve, this funding will help us strengthen our ability to meet patients where they are, expand access and continue delivering high-quality care that affirms each patient’s identity and experiences. We thank Governor Pritzker and the State of Illinois for investing in improvements to our health centers as we work to bolster access and availability of services that are deeply needed in this community.”
This renovation will provide many important benefits to patients as Howard Brown continues to enhance the whole-person care and services:
● More primary care appointments and shorter wait times
● Expanded preventive care and chronic disease management for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma and HIV
● Dedicated space for counseling, psychiatric services, crisis support and substance use disorder treatment
● Greater access to same-day behavioral health consultations during primary care visits
● Expanded on-site lab capacity to meet patient needs
● Stronger case management, benefits navigation and referral coordination, plus help with social needs
● A more accessible and comfortable visit, with improved waiting, registration, restroom and circulation areas
“The expansion of Howard Brown Health’s Clark St. care center is an important investment in the health and well-being of our North Side communities,” said State Senator Mike Simmons. “By expanding access to primary care and behavioral health services, this project will help more people get the comprehensive care they need, closer to home. I’m proud to support investments that strengthen Howard Brown Health, address barriers to care and ensure that our neighbors have the opportunity to live a healthier life.”
“Access to affirming, comprehensive health care can be life-changing, particularly for people who face barriers to finding the care they need,” said State Rep. Kelly Cassidy. “Howard Brown Health’s Clark Street expansion will create more opportunities for patients to receive primary care, behavioral health services and other essential supports in one welcoming, coordinated setting. This investment reflects an important commitment to strengthening the health care infrastructure our communities depend on and ensuring that people across Rogers Park and the surrounding neighborhoods can access quality care that respects who they are and meets their needs.”
About 10,500 square feet of the two-story, approximately 22,000-square-foot facility will be renovated and reconfigured, turning administrative and storage areas into space for patient care and clinical support. The renovated site will include:
● Five new primary care exam rooms
● Four dedicated behavioral health consultation rooms
● A relocated and expanded on-site laboratory
● Two shared workspaces for medical, behavioral health and care management teams
● Two care coordination and case management offices
● Improved reception, registration, waiting, storage, restroom and circulation areas
● Building upgrades, including HVAC and roof improvements and exterior tuckpointing
Together, the changes will improve patient flow, make room for more providers and care teams, and upgrade the Clark location to a modern health center built for comprehensive, team-based care.
About Howard Brown Health
Howard Brown Health provides high-quality, integrated, patient-centered care that affirms each patient’s identity and experiences at seven health centers across Chicago. As the Midwest’s leading health center dedicated to whole-person care for the LGBTQ+ community and others seeking affirming care, Howard Brown offers a range of patient services including medical care, behavioral care, dental care, young adult care, sexual care, and aging adult care. Howard Brown is recognized as a federally qualified health center and serves more than 43,000 adults and youth each year, regardless of their health insurance coverage status or ability to pay. Learn more at: www.howardbrown.org.