SHU Helps Expand Health Services at Bridgeport Clinic

The new facility provides extensive health-care services five days a week

Hall Neighborhood House in Bridgeport celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 11 for its new facility, Community Health at Hall, which opened in partnership with Sacred Heart University’s Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing (DHCON).

The health center first opened its doors at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Bridgeport, with the involvement of DHCON and SHU’s physical and occupational therapy programs. Basic health services were provided after Saturday Masses, including assessment of vital signs. That health center then moved to Hall Neighborhood House in 2013, where it provided services to the elderly through its Aging with Grace program. However, the aspiration was to bring health services for people of all ages directly to where they work and live. Now, the health center is a fully functioning clinic where personnel can assess any patients, from babies to the elderly, order and receive medications and provide health education.

“I hope this clinic creates a healthier neighborhood where residents can live, prosper, grow and achieve their goals,” said Linda Strong, director of community partnerships and associate professor of nursing at SHU.

“It has been so rewarding to watch Hall Neighborhood House grow over the recent years,” said Mary Alice Donius, special assistant to the president. “I am so grateful to the students and faculty from Sacred Heart University and the Davis & Henley College of Nursing. They have been integral to the expansion of the services to the community, especially the health clinic.”