The Whittier Street Health Center, with its main site located on 129 Tremont St. in Roxbury, officially opened a new satellite clinic at 278 Blue Hill Ave. during an open house and ribbon-cutting event on Friday, June 2. Whittier Street Health Center President and CEO Frederica Williams emphasized the necessity for Whittier Street “ to further penetrate areas that have significant health issues.” The new clinic is located across from the Haynes Early Education Center near the intersection with Quincy Street, a neighborhood along the Dorchester and Roxbury border that Williams said is eager to have more accessible and affordable health care options.

The facility includes a full-service pharmacy, primary care and urgent care services, mental health and nutritional counseling and WIC services. Whittier Street will offer transportation for patients to go the Tremont Street campus where there is a cancer center, full service dental practice, and a fitness gym.

The Whittier Street cancer center, in partnership with Dana Farber, includes a mammography suite for Breast Cancer patients. Whittier is also a Refugee Health Assessment Site for the Department of Public Health.

“At a time when access to healthcare is being threatened with the looming repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, we at Whittier promise to safeguard Boston’s most vulnerable populations and will ensure that they continue to receive the care they need and deserve,” said Williams during the event.

Community outreach is a big priority for the continued success and growth of Whittier, added Williams.

“When you think about the changes in the healthcare policy, this is the community those changes will affect,” said Williams. “We value the fact that they are invested in their health. We are about teaching and educating. We are learning a lot from the community as well. As we share with them, they share with us.”

The clinic is laid out on one floor with patient rooms, specialty rooms, and offices. The halls are decorated with artwork that was picked by Frederica Williams herself.

“We’ve created a safety net, a sanctuary where people can come and not feel anxious. And that’s why it’s important for the place to be warm and welcoming,” she said.

According to their Fiscal Year 2016 Annual Report, over 50 percent of Whittier Street’s patients reported living at or below the poverty line. Whittier Street also provided $2,263,000 in free health care for their patients, with 58 percent of that coming from grants, contracts, fundraising, and other means.