By Kristy Warren

Access to affordable dental care and family medicine remains challenging in many rural regions, and the Laurel Health Centers are on a mission to improve healthcare access for patients of all ages in rural northcentral PA. Over the past four years, Laurel Health has diligently expanded services in Tioga and Bradford Counties to help meet local need. The health system was recently contacted about extending its services into Sullivan County. 

Earlier this year, Sullivan County Action Inc. and local dentists Dr. Edward Kassab and Dr. Janice Johnson broached Laurel Health about acquiring their dental operations in Laporte, PA, when the current dental team retires. Laurel Health was then approached for help with the primary care clinic located in the same building, Sullivan County Medical Center, which was facing closure as the previous tenant withdrew their operations from Sullivan County.

Laurel Health collaborated with community leaders to assess local healthcare needs and secure funding, reviewing how our health system could successfully assist to avoid the area losing a key health resource.

“We are excited to announce that Laurel Health is stepping in to continue providing both expert dental and primary care services with this talented existing team as well as recruiting additional providers to support the center,” shares James A. Nobles, President and CEO of Laurel Health. “When we were approached about providing assistance, we acted quickly with the goal of preserving this important health resource for patients and avoiding an extended disruption in local healthcare.”

Both clinics will be transitioning to Laurel Health’s ownership by April. As part of the transition to Laurel Health, the formerly separate clinics will be integrated to become one unified health and dental center named the Sullivan County Laurel Health Center, located at 217 King Street in Laporte, PA.

Family physician Dr. Samuel Schrack (pictured above) and his team will remain on staff. When Drs. Kassab and Johnson retire from dentistry, Laurel Health will bring in a new team to continue comprehensive dental care onsite. Laurel Health has already recruited a new dentist to begin in May and is currently recruiting a new registered dental hygienist to serve the center.

Anyone with a standing appointment scheduled by the former offices will be contacted to confirm their information and update the appointment if needed. New patients of all ages are being accepted.

Services offered will include:

• Comprehensive family medicine / primary care
• Acute care for illnesses and injuries
• Chronic condition management
• Preventive and restorative dental services
• Routine wellness care and health screenings
• Walk-in Care (no appointment needed)

The Sullivan County Laurel Health Center will be introducing walk-in care services, which provide same-day treatment for acute health issues without requiring an appointment. Walk-in care is intended to address pressing health concerns that need quick attention but aren't emergencies like urinary tract infections (UTIs), minor cuts and burns, rashes, strep throat, pink eye, sprains, insect bites, and influenza (flu). This service does not treat emergencies. Anyone with a potentially life-threatening issue should continue to call 911 or go directly to an ER.

Laurel Health also plans to add mental and behavioral health services to the center in the future. 

Hours of operation for the Sullivan County Laurel Health Center will be as follows:

• Primary Care: Mon to Tues. and Thurs. to Fri. from 8 am - 4:30 pm; primary care services will be closed on Wednesdays.
  
  
• Dental Care: Monday - Thursday from 8:30 am - 3 pm; dental services will be closed on Fridays.

Laurel Health offers nationally recognized, award-winning family medicine, behavioral health services, and specialty care for the whole family.

Our clinics are located throughout Tioga, Bradford, and Sullivan Counties, including sites in Blossburg, Elkland, Laporte, Lawrenceville, Mansfield, Towanda, Troy, Wellsboro, and Westfield, PA.

Our health system includes nine community health centers, six dental clinics, Laurel Behavioral Health outpatient services, school-based mental healthcare, specialty services, mobile dental outreach, and the Laurel Health & Wellness Center.

The Sullivan County Laurel Health Center is committed to caring for all patients, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. It offers a sliding fee program to income-eligible families to help with coverage gaps, medications, co-pays, and deductibles. Laurel Health’s certified application counselors also provide free enrollment assistance for financial aid programs and can help uninsured or underinsured patients compare insurance plans on the state marketplace to find affordable coverage that meets their individual healthcare needs.

Laurel Health accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most major commercial medical insurances. Payment is accepted by credit card, debit card, check, and cash. For more information about accepted insurance plans, call the Laurel Health billing team at 1-877-723-0589.

For more information or to make an appointment at the Sullivan County Laurel Health Center, call 570-946-5101 or 1-833-LAURELHC (1-833-528-7354).