CarolinaEast Health System has opened a new Community Clinic in New Bern, North Carolina. The clinic, located at 729 3rd Avenue, is part of the CarolinaEast Physicians network and was developed in partnership with the Redevelopment Commission and the City of New Bern.
The facility offers primary and walk-in care and aims to improve access for residents with chronic health conditions by connecting them to specialist care as needed. The clinic will serve both existing patients of CarolinaEast and new patients who wish to join the system.
Michael Smith, President and CEO of CarolinaEast Health System, said, “This is an exciting time for CarolinaEast and Eastern North Carolina. We are proud to collaborate with our great partners at the City, enabling us to bring this necessary resource to the community. For far too long, the residents of Duffyfield and the surrounding area have lacked access to care where they live. Transportation should not and will no longer be a barrier to healthcare. The CarolinaEast Community Clinic will serve as another milestone in our legacy of providing care to this region for the last 60 years and beyond the next 60.”
The clinic operates Monday through Friday from 10:00am until 6:00pm. Patients can schedule appointments by calling 252-276-7190 or visit on a walk-in basis if space is available. Insurance claims will be processed for those with commercial or federal plans; uninsured individuals will have opportunities to enroll in Medicaid or receive financial assistance.
Tabari Wallace, Vice Chair of the Redevelopment Commission of New Bern, stated, “Reducing barriers to good and affordable healthcare has always been a pillar of our redevelopment plan. But more than celebrating this accomplishment, we are celebrating the difference this clinic will make for families in the Greater Five Points community and beyond. This is about health, hope, and opportunity, and we are proud to stand alongside our partners in making it a reality.”
A grand opening event is scheduled for September 19 from 4:00pm until 6:00pm. The celebration will include educational resources such as MyChart sign-ups (https://www.carolinaeasthealth.com/patients-and-visitors/patient-portal/) and Medicaid application assistance. Food and remarks from representatives of CarolinaEast, the Redevelopment Commission, and New Bern Mayor Jeffrey Odham are also planned.
Mayor Odham commented on local efforts leading up to the project’s launch: “Improved access to healthcare in the Duffyfield and Five Points community was a need identified during the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative plan creation in 2014. The implementation started when the New Bern Board of Alderman made a financial commitment towards the project in 2021. ‘Everything came together’ when CarolinaEast stepped up to build and operate the facility. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen!”
Since its integration began in 2009, CarolinaEast Physicians now operates 22 practice locations across four counties. Additionally, starting September 1, CarolinaEast OB/GYN (formerly Eastern Carolina Women’s Center) will become part of their network.
Patients are encouraged to set up MyChart accounts online for better continuity of care via https://www.carolinaeasthealth.com/patients-and-visitors/patient-portal/.
