Open Door Through the Years
For 50 years, Open Door has been serving the needs of our neighbors for coordinated, comprehensive, and affordable health care both within and – through its wraparound programs – beyond the exam room. What began in 1972 as a free clinic in the basement of the First Baptist Church in Ossining has become a nationally-recognized, multi-site, federally-qualified health center serving over 62,000 people. Regardless of the affluence that exists in Westchester and Putnam Counties, many people here live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. They struggle with poverty, unemployment, lack of health insurance, and life-threatening health disparities. In response, Open Door emphasizes access with a sliding scale fee discount, convenient hours and locations, and a bilingual, multicultural, and culturally competent staff.
Each decade has been unique in its growth and accomplishments. Each year we’ve been able to serve more patients in more ways and in more communities.
The 1970's:
First Patients Are Welcomed
1972
The Open Door is launched in the basement of the Ossining First Baptist Church, staffed with volunteer doctors and nurses and sees 1,000 patients in the first year. Marge Griesmer is Open Door’s first President & CEO.
1973
Granted Community Health Center status.
1974
Incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit organization.
1975
Purchases and renovates 165 Main Street in Ossining (formerly Hilliker’s Department Store).
1976
Opens the newly renovated Ossining location at 165 Main Street.
1978
Joins the Westchester Network of Neighborhood Health Centers (with 3 other Westchester Health Centers in Peekskill, Mt. Vernon, and Greenburgh) in order to receive federal funds.
The 1980's:
New Programs Are Offered
1980
Open Door employs first full time physician
1981
Open Door establishes Dental Services
1985
Open Door opens original Sleepy Hollow facility
1986
Open Door expands services to include Behavioral Health Services, Podiatry and Optometry
1987
Open Door establishes on-site Prenatal Services in partnership with Phelps Memorial Hospital
1988
Open Door doubles size of Ossining location through purchase and renovation of 163 Main Street
1989
The Women’s, Infant and Children program (WIC) commences at Open Door
The 1990's:
New Executive Leadership and Growth
1989
Open Door Foundation is established to provide philanthropic support to the Open Door Family Medical Center.
1990
HIV Services established at Open Door
1995
Open Door Sleepy Hollow moves to new facility at 80 Beekman Avenue with expanded services
1995
Open Door Rye Brook facility opened to serve Rye Brook and Port Chester
1998
Lindsay Farrell is appointed Open Door President and CEO. Founding CEO, Marge Griesmer, retires
1998
Joint Commission Accreditation received
The 2000's:
School Based Health Centers Open
2001
Renovation of Ossining health center’s 3rd floor to expand medical, dental, and administrative offices
2002
Receives Congressional Appropriation grant from Rep. Nita M. Lowey to help planning of School Based Health Center Program
2004
Launch of School-Based Health Centers at Edison and Kennedy Elementary Schools in Port Chester
2005
Open Door opens Mt. Kisco facility
2006
Open Door Rye Brook facility moves to Port Chester, adding Dental and Optometry Programs
2006
First AmeriCorps class launched
2007
School-Based Health Center opened in Port Chester High School
2007
Implementation of eClinicalWorks – electronic medical record system linking all Open Door sites
2008
School-Based Health Center opened in Port Chester Middle School
2009
Receives Level 3 NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home Recognition
The 2010's:
Locations open in new communities.
2010
Mobile Dental Van program launches
2010
Receives HIMSS Davies Award for Excellence for Use of Health Information Technology (Received again in 2019)
2010
Opening of Park Avenue Elementary School-Based Health Center in Port Chester
2012
Family Medicine and Dental Residency programs established. Current partnerships include Phelps Memorial Hospital Center (Family Medicine) and New York Medical College (Dental)
2013
Open Door opens Brewster facility
2015
Opening of Ossining High School School-Based Health Center
2017
Open Door opens Mamaroneck facility
2018
Open Door Sleepy Hollow moves to new facility at 300 North Broadway with expanded services
2018
Opening of School-Based Health Center in Ossining Anne M. Dorner Middle School
2019
Open Door Saugerties Dental Opens
The 2020's:
Frontline response to COVID-19.
2020
Open Door commences COVID-19 testing March 2020
2021
Open Door is chosen by the federal government as one of the first health centers in nation to provide COVID-19 vaccinations
2021
Partnership with The STEM Alliance to implement delivery of digital literacy services
2022
Open Door deepens its partnerships with an affiliation with Family Services of Westchester (FSW)