It’s been one year since Spectrum Health Lakeland opened its Center for Better Health in downtown Benton Harbor. The center was opened in response to COVID-19, but its continued service is supported by the Health Equity Endowment Fund established by Spectrum Health Lakeland in June of last year. Spectrum Health Lakeland’s Dr. Willie Lawrence tells WSJM News the center offers health services, mental health services, social navigation, and legal navigation.
“I’m a cardiologist by training,” Lawrence said. “I arrived here from Kansas City about four months ago, and with my arrival we began to provide medical services for the first time, cardiology services, in downtown Benton Harbor.”
Lawrence says the center has received 123 heart health visits, 746 mental health visits, 731 social navigation visits, and 142 legal navigation visits since opening. They’re hoping to increase awareness.
“We’re trying to partner with churches in the community. We’re trying to get out there, let people know that we’re here. We’re here to serve them, we’re here to better understand what the community wants, and we’re trying to respond to those needs.”
The center is located at 100 West Main Street, the old farmers and merchants building. Lawrence says they hope to one day move into a bigger facility. Spectrum Health Lakeland will hold a celebration of the center’s one year anniversary via Facebook Live at noon on November 15.
