University of Maryland Faculty Physicians, Inc., (FPI) has entered into an agreement to lease 17,000 square feet of space at The Village at Mondawmin, which would establish a new community “health village,” University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, and FPI President William F. Regine, MD, announced July 9.
It is part of a larger effort to work in partnership with the West Baltimore community to develop and implement health care delivery based on neighborhood needs and to improve patient access to health care.
The FPI group of UMSOM is composed of 1,300 physicians and providers in more than 80 medical specialties and subspecialties who lead the clinical education of future generations of providers. Faculty also are involved in advanced research and clinical trials while delivering state-of-the-art clinical care to patients throughout Maryland.
“We are excited to create a health village that will provide medical, dental, and ancillary services to the Mondawmin community in a clean, safe, and peaceful space that promotes equity, health, and wellness,” said Esa M. Davis, MD, MPH, associate vice president for community health at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and senior associate dean for population and community medicine at UMSOM. “We want everyone in the community to have a doctor and medical team they can work with and build a long-term relationship with to improve their health and support their well-being."
When the new faculty practice opens at The Village at Mondawmin next year, it will offer primary care services aimed at prevention including pediatrics, yearly wellness visits, and geriatrics. Faculty physicians also will offer advanced primary care services and subspecialty services such as cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology. Nutrition counseling, prenatal care, treatment of HIV and other infectious diseases, and mental health services also will be provided.
“Social determinants of health — where people live, learn, work, and play — account for 50 to 60 percent of health outcomes and are a key driver of disparities in health,” Gladwin said. “This partnership is a central part of our joint strategic plan and shared mission of the UM School of Medicine and the UM Medical Center, and will enable us to provide accessible and equitable health care by bringing our physicians directly into the West Baltimore communities.”
The Village at Mondawmin redevelopment is being undertaken by TouchPoint Empowerment Center, LLC, an entity owned personally by Tim Regan, president and CEO of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.
“We’re thrilled to have the University of Maryland faculty practice on board as a tenant at The Village at Mondawmin,” Regan said. “Their world-class physicians and providers will significantly enhance the medical services available to the people of West Baltimore, reinforcing the Village’s role as a comprehensive hub for health, wellness, and community resources. It’s exciting to see this project continue to gain momentum as we welcome tenants who are committed to making a difference in this special community.”
FPI joins CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Whiting-Turner, an expanded and relocated TouchPoint Baltimore, and Edenbridge PACE of West Baltimore as future tenants in the building. These tenants represent 75 percent of the leasable space in the project. Discussions are ongoing with other potential tenants, including a day care provider, restaurants, and retail establishments. Interested businesses are invited to consider joining the community. The Village at Mondawmin leadership along with community leaders will continue to work to lease spaces to tenants that fill important community needs.
“Our goal is to provide the highest quality of care to our community in West Baltimore by meeting them where they work and live,” Regine said. “By establishing this community health village, we want to ensure that every resident has easy access not only to medical services but to prevention and health education programs that help incorporate a person’s individual culture and customs into healthier lifestyle choices.”
Rachel Hoover, MS, MBA, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, FPI, led the development of this initiative in partnership with Regine and other physician leaders. “The faculty practice is committed to longstanding and transformative partnerships in our community that will enhance the health of our neighbors and our patients,” Hoover said. “We plan to develop a multiservice centralized health care delivery model to improve primary care, chronic disease management, and care coordination between providers and their patients.”
The long-term vision for the community health village is for the faculty practice to expand West Baltimore partnerships with federally qualified health centers. This will further improve patient access and student-supported clinics at The Village at Mondawmin. Dental services may be offered in the newly leased space with faculty from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. There also is the potential for an expansion of services provided by other faculty within UMB, including the schools of nursing, social work, law, graduate studies, and pharmacy.
“UMB is committed to preparing the next generation of health care and human services professionals. At the same time, as an anchor institution in West Baltimore, we are also committed to supporting community health and well-being,” said Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, president of UMB. “Just as our students’ service can help address critical health equity issues, we know their professional development will be enriched by their experiences here working with our neighbors.”