Palatine, IL – On Tuesday, April 28th, Greater Family Health proudly celebrated the expansion of its health center in Palatine, IL with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house, welcoming community members, partners, staff, and elected officials to mark an important milestone in expanding access to high-quality, affordable healthcare in the Northwest suburbs.
The event brought together dozens of community members for an afternoon of tours, refreshments, and remarks highlighting the impact of the Palatine site, located at 345 W. Northwest Hwy., and the importance of continued investment in community-based care. Guests were invited to tour the newly expanded clinical space, led by members of Greater Family Health’s leadership team and staff, who shared how the expansion will directly improve patient care and access.
Meeting Growing Community Healthcare Needs
During her remarks, Greater Family Health President & CEO Lupe Fonseca shared powerful insight into why the expansion was needed and what it means for patients served at the Palatine location.
Since 2022, the Palatine site has provided more than 61,000 visits to over 25,000 unique patients, a level of demand that quickly outgrew the original footprint of the clinic. What once housed eight exam rooms has now expanded to 14 total exam rooms, allowing the care team to better serve patients in a more comfortable and efficient environment.
“This expansion is about meeting the needs of our community,” Fonseca shared. “It was incredibly tight and difficult to provide care at the volume we were seeing, and this new space allows us to continue delivering high-quality care while growing with our patients.”
Expanded OB Services Through Strong Partnerships
Fonseca also highlighted a key partnership with Northwest Community Hospital (Endeavor Health System) that has significantly strengthened obstetric (OB) services at the Palatine site. Through this collaboration, contracted OB providers deliver care directly at the health center, improving access for pregnant patients who may otherwise face barriers to care.
To date, the partnership has supported more than 3,500 OB visits for over 1,000 individuals at the Palatine location alone. With the newly expanded space, Greater Family Health is now doubling OB capacity, further enhancing prenatal and women’s health services for the community.
“These partnerships are critical,” Fonseca noted. “With this expansion, we’re excited to grow our OB program and continue supporting families at every stage of life.”
Community Leaders Celebrate Investment in Palatine
The ceremony also featured remarks from local and state leaders, underscoring the importance of Greater Family Health’s presence in Palatine.
Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz, joined by Village Council members, thanked Greater Family Health for its continued investment not just in facilities, but in people.
“Palatine is resource-rich, and Greater Family Health is one of those incredible resources,” Schwantz said. “We’re very fortunate to have you serving our community, and we look forward to many more years of partnership.”
Illinois State Representative Nabeela Syed (51st District) also spoke about the critical role federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) play in ensuring access to preventive care, especially as communities face uncertainty around Medicaid, SNAP, and federal healthcare policy.
“Having an FQHC like Greater Family Health right here in Palatine is incredibly important,” Syed said. “You are filling gaps, protecting our most vulnerable neighbors, and making sure our community is cared for during turbulent times.”
A Commitment to Healthy Communities
The event concluded with an official ribbon cutting, celebrating not just a larger building, but a steadfast commitment to accessible, comprehensive, and compassionate care in Palatine.
Greater Family Health looks forward to continuing to serve the Palatine community with expanded services, strong partnerships, and a shared goal of improving health outcomes for all – regardless of their ability to pay.
