Medical group plans move to Blue Island
Beloved Community Family Wellness Center will move its Robbins operation to Blue Island with the goal of opening the new location before the end of the year, officials said.
The medical group leases its building and Robbins Mayor Darren Bryant told the medical group the use of the building will be changing, said Chief Executive Officer Margie Johnson. Robbins spokesman Sean Howard said village officials declined to comment.
While looking for a new space, Johnson said Blue Island Mayor Fred Bilotto told her about the one-story, 8,588-square-foot building at 2338 New St., in Blue Island that used to house Heart Care Centers medical facility.
Johnson said the wellness center purchased the Blue Island building in June with a $1.5 million loan from the Illinois Facilities Fund.
“We are excited,” Johnson said. “We’re not looking to be just another health center. We’re looking to be a part of the community. We’re looking forward to the day that we can say, ‘We’re open.’ ”
Beloved Community Family Wellness Center was established in 2005 and operated out of St. Bernard Hospital, Johnson said. In 2010, the medical group opened a facility in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood and about one year later opened its facility in Robbins, she said.
The Blue Island location will provide the same services: medical, behavioral, mental health, social work, dental and nutrition from birth through geriatric, Johnson said.
Johnson said there are a few more permits that need approval in Blue Island, and then minor renovations will begin.
City Administrator Tom Wogan said Thursday the Building Department was waiting on one piece of information from the medical group to finalize its permits.
“The work that the staff at Beloved do is vital to ensuring all of our residents have access to quality health care options,” Bilotto said in a statement. “Beloved Community Wellness will bring many positive benefits to the families in Blue Island.”