A year of planning and hard work culminated in the grand opening of a new health care facility on Cleveland’s West Side on Saturday, April 15th. The transformation of a former CVS Pharmacy is now the new home of Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP), located at 13027 Lorain Ave. 

The 10,000 square-foot building at the corner of Lorain Avenue and 130th Street is outfitted to provide more than medicine. NFP offers comprehensive care including medical, dental and behavioral health services. A drive-through pharmacy is set to be added in early 2026. All patients are welcome, regardless of their ability to pay. 

“We recognize that healthy communities depend on both healthcare access and economic vitality,” said NFP President and CEO  Domonic Hopson. “This new health center will serve as a vital resource in the neighborhood, improving access to care and contributing to the community’s well-being.”

Advertisement

Advertisement

Over 150 community members showed their support at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Public officials including U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, and City Councilman Brian Kazy were also in attendance — a testament to the significance of making healthcare accessible, specifically in areas where there is a growing concern of “pharmacy deserts.”

Pharmacy Deserts

The term “pharmacy desert” describes an area where residents have limited access to pharmacies, a problem increasing in both urban and rural areas nationwide. This is often due to pharmacy closures, which disproportionately affect low-income communities.

The U.S. Census Bureau data indicates that over 30% of Cleveland residents live below the poverty line. Financial vulnerability can make it difficult, or impossible, to afford insurance premiums, high deductibles and copays even if individuals and families have access to insurance. While there is no concrete way to measure the population of Clevalnders who are underinsured, Data USA reports that 8% of Clevelanders may be uninsured (2023).

According to research provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when people shift away from efficient preventive care and toward emergency rooms, which are well-documented to be more expensive and often less effective for managing chronic conditions, chronic illnesses worsen and health disparities grow.

Serving the Community’s Health Needs

Organizations like NFP address the systemic challenges that poverty poses to health care. A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1980, their model emphasizes proactive care to reduce reliance on emergency services and provides essential healthcare services to all individuals in the community.

NFP  operates several health centers in Cleveland:

• Ridge Community Health Center: 3569 Ridge Rd, Cleveland, OH 44102
• Tremont Community Health Center: 2358 Professor Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
• Detroit Shoreway Community Health Center: 6412 Franklin Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44102
• W. 130th Community Health Center: 13027 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44111
• North Coast Community Health Center: 11906 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107

NFP also operates pharmacies at:

• Ridge Community Health Center: 3569 Ridge Rd, Cleveland, OH 44102
• Ann B. Reichsman Community Health Center: 3545 Ridge Rd, Cleveland, OH 44102

The new facility on Lorain Avenue will house NFP’s third pharmacy, further improving medication access.

As for what’s next? Hopson isn’t slowing down. “We are always looking for new opportunities to expand access to our care,” he said.