WARREN — Bringing much-needed health care possibilities to the downtown area, Valley Health Services, 150 E. Market St., hosted an open house Thursday.

The original building was remodeled to continue offering behavioral health services with the addition of primary care, pharmacy, substance abuse treatment and dental care.

In his opening remarks, Warren Mayor Doug Franklin referred to the services lost because of Insight Hospital closing and its physicians leaving, and how this facility will help.

“As you all know, we have a void that, I believe, this is going to be able to bridge that gap. The transformation of this facility into a comprehensive center for whole-person care is exactly the kind of progress that our community in Warren needs. Valley Health Services is setting a powerful example of how modern and inclusive health care should look,” Franklin said.

Valley Health Services is a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center), which provides underserved populations primary health care and support services.

“It is a one-stop shop,” Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez said.

He emphasized the convenience of patients having multiple services available in one building. The medical facility is behind the Robins Theatre.

Dr. Vikil Girdhar, Director of Integrated Medical Services at Valley Health Services, sees a very positive aspect of health care that this facility will provide.

“We will try to keep people out of the ER,” he said in reference to its routine screenings, on-site lab work, preventive care and chronic disease management that will be offered.

Dr. Mo Rasoul, pharmacy manager of Valley Health Services, mentioned the convenience for patients who come to the facility for their medications.

“The pharmacy serves the patients who come to Valley Health Services. If they receive a referral to a specialist and need medication, we can fill that prescription here,” Rasoul said.

The facility accepts Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurances. They also offer sliding fee rates for patients without insurance.

The providers at Valley Health Services speak multiple languages and there is the availability of translation services for patients who are non native English speakers.

“Special offering from us as Valley Health Services over traditional facilities is that we particularly aim at accessibility and affordability in our comprehensive care. Accessibility because we can do all services in our building,” said Renee Klaric, Director of Valley Health Services. “Also, if people have mobility problems and transportation problems, now they can make one trip to this office and see anyone that they need to see at a professional level in one building. Affordability, we have a sliding fee scale. Everybody’s welcome regardless of their financial situation. Comprehensive care is an approach that prevents issues from escalating.”

She added, “In an integrative model, you have more acute and better diagnosis. You have better treatment plans and improved health outcomes.”

Klaric talked about the new facility’s purpose of merging Valley Counseling Services with medical care.

“It is about creating stronger, more efficient, more compassionate health care for our community,” she said.

Valley Health Services is an umbrella agency of Axess Pointe Healthcare Services in Akron, which merged with Family and Community Services, the parent company of SCOPE Senior Services of Trumbull County.