A new primary care facility in Crown Heights aims to transform healthcare access for older adults and local residents by providing comprehensive, community-centered services. TeamCare Medical officially opened its new location at 629 Park Place this month, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by healthcare leaders, elected officials, and community partners. The facility is designed to deliver a “whole-person” model of care, integrating medical services with social supports under one roof.
Dr. Ziad Farah, chief medical officer of TeamCare, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s collaborative approach. “We’re delivering a whole care approach in our TeamCare program. We’re collaborating with community practices and organizations to create a unique integrated model for all our patients,” Farah said. He emphasized the necessity of local healthcare, particularly for older adults, stating, “There’s a need in healthcare to bring care locally, make it close, make it accessible.”
Innovative Facility Design Enhances Care Accessibility
The new Crown Heights facility embodies its philosophy through thoughtful design. The first floor houses primary care and aligned specialty services, while the second floor is dedicated to a social daycare program. This space is intended to keep older adults engaged, socialized, and supported. Tara Buonocore-Rut, president and CEO of CenterLight Health System and TeamCare Medical, highlighted the importance of this model, which builds on decades of experience caring for seniors through the PACE program—the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
“For more than 40 years, we’ve been pioneers in care for older adults across New York City,” Buonocore-Rut stated. She noted that PACE is widely regarded as a gold standard for coordinated, interdisciplinary care that supports seniors’ independence and well-being. Yet, she acknowledged that eligibility requirements leave many older adults without access to these essential services. “There’s a disparity between people who are eligible and not eligible for PACE services. Many individuals could benefit from PACE-like services but are not eligible,” she explained.
Addressing Isolation and Enhancing Quality of Life
The addition of a social daycare component is crucial to the vision at TeamCare Medical. Buonocore-Rut pointed out that social isolation can be as harmful as untreated medical conditions. “One of the keys to making sure that people age independently is keeping them in a community, socialized, engaged,” she said. Many older adults find themselves isolated at home, losing their networks and independence.
By creating a facility where older adults can receive medical care, meals, and social interaction in one location, TeamCare Medical aims to improve both health outcomes and quality of life. “Keeping them engaged, giving them food, and providing access to these resources is vital for their health and well-being,” Buonocore-Rut noted. “We know it works on the PACE side of the business, so why shouldn’t it work for everyone else?”
TeamCare Medical is now open at 629 Park Place in Crown Heights. The facility represents a significant step towards more accessible and integrated healthcare for older adults in the community. For more information, interested individuals can visit the TeamCare Medical website.
