Planning Underway For Health Clinic

For Newtown’s Neediest

By Jan Howard

The Newtown District Department of Health on March 5 announced that Dr Michael Taweh of Newtown would be starting a clinic, expected to open in the spring, to provide medical services to Newtown residents who meet certain qualifications.

The clinic, named Kevin’s Community Center, Inc, would initially be located in two offices provided by the Department of Health at Canaan House on the Fairfield Hills campus. It would service uninsured adults and homebound individuals who are unable to get out to see a doctor.

The clinic would be available one half day (about four to five hours) per week by appointment only at no cost to the patient. It will include home visits to selected elderly residents with the greatest need as determined by the Social Services Department of Newtown.

“Dr Taweh has been working for the past several months on this plan,” Director of Health Donna McCarthy told the Board of Health District’s board of directors.

“This is all part of a bigger vision,” Ms McCarthy said. “But this is a good place to get started.”

According to Ms McCarthy, Dr Taweh’s clinic is receiving help from many people. Plumbers have donated their time to get the offices at Canaan House ready. Danbury Hospital has donated medical office equipment.

The range of medical services would include free primary, minor surgical procedures, consultations, and referrals, in addition to radiology/laboratory testing and prescription medications at low or no cost to patients.

A volunteer medical team would consist of a board certified internist, nurses, and social workers.

“This is a really great thing,” Ms McCarthy said, noting the clinic would eventually help in identifying medical needs on a communitywide basis.

Dr Taweh has been working on this plan since September, according to Michael Ronan of Newtown, a member of the planning group.

“This is a pure act of the Taweh family,” Mr Ronan said, noting, however, that Dr Taweh is not ready to provide full details about the clinic as yet.

The clinic plan has the support of many people, Mr Ronan said. “Every time you turn around someone is donating something.”

Mr Ronan said the support of the Health District and Ms McCarthy has been “amazing.”

Kevin’s Community Center is a 501 C(3) nonprofit organization. It has formed a fundraising committee to enlist support from Danbury Hospital; local businesses, professionals, and the banking community; local and regional fraternal and religious organizations; and private donations.

For more information, write to Kevin’s Community Center, PO Box 0037, Newtown, CT 06470.