TURNERS FALLS — Five years after moving into its current office on Main Street in Greenfield, the Community Health Center of Franklin County is expanding to include a Turners Falls branch.

“We thought we had built space we’d be able to grow into over time, but within about a year, we were already fully grown into it with no more room to expand,” CEO Allison van der Velden said of the location at 102 Main St. in Greenfield. Similarly, in 2021, the practice’s Orange location moved to the Aubuchon Plaza at 119 New Athol Road to allow for expansion there. “We’ve been looking for our next opportunity for growth, and this [Turners Falls] property was perfect because it’s already designed as a medical office, so our renovations will be fairly minimal.”

The health center recently bought the property at 8 Burnham St. in Turners Falls, which was previously owned by Baystate Franklin Medical Center, for $825,000, according to information from the Franklin County Registry of Deeds. Following modest renovations and required inspections — the project is now in the design stage with architects — van der Velden anticipates an early 2024 opening.

Baystate Franklin acquired the Burnham Street offices in January 2020, following the retirement of all four primary care physicians and co-owners of the former Connecticut River Internists. When the practice was unable to recruit replacement physicians, Baystate acquired it, ensuring that Connecticut River Internists’ 8,000 patients would retain their doctor’s office.

Baystate used the location for less than three years before consolidating the practice with its offices on Sanderson Street in Greenfield. Van der Velden said Baystate reached out to the Community Health Center of Franklin County about the available property.

“The timing was good for us and we thought the price was good for us, and so we couldn’t say no,” she said.

Van der Velden said staff will be reorganized, with some moving to the new facility while others will remain at the Greenfield offices. Eventually, she expects a need for increasing staffing numbers.

“We’re seeing a need for health care in the region that’s ever-increasing,” she said.

The new practice will offer the same primary care services as those that are offered in Greenfield. However, there is no plan, currently, to build a dental office at the Burnham Street location.

“We’re still recovering from the impact that COVID had on our staffing and operations for that practice,” she noted.

Van der Velden anticipates the Turners Falls office will offer same-day availability, allowing the practice to expand access to the community.

“The health care workforce is a really hot topic right now and we are feeling it just like everybody else in the industry,” she said. “It’s hard to hire folks; providers, nurse practitioners … everybody is burnt out. They’re tired because the demands from the pandemic are ongoing, but I’m optimistic that we’re able to grow in this time. The need [for health care] is there in this community. ... That’s what we’re committed to doing, so we will find the staff we need to meet the mission.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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