Neighborhood Health Center has partnered with BestSelf Behavioral Health, Inc. to provide primary healthcare services at the BestSelf location at 1050 Niagara Street in Buffalo, and started seeing patients at the location on July 22, 2022. Neighborhood assumed operation of an existing BestSelf primary care clinic which was established in 2015 with a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in partnership with UB Family Medicine.

The Neighborhood office within this site is called Neighborhood Health Center Bridgeview in celebration of the partnership connecting two Western New York organizations focused on improving health outcomes, and in recognition of the site’s proximity to the Buffalo landmark Peace Bridge. This new partnership aims to improve access to quality primary care for patients who receive behavioral healthcare through BestSelf at the west side location.

“Reasons can be complex as to why someone avoids seeking the primary care that they need, and it’s crucial that we continue to address the social determinants of health that many of our patients and beloved community members experience,” says Neighborhood Health Center President and CEO Joanne Haefner, MS, FNP. “We are excited to work with BestSelf on this expansion of services as part of our mission to improve patients’ lives by offering access to impactful health care provided by kind people.”

“The partnership with Neighborhood Health Center allows BestSelf clients to continue to receive high quality primary care services in a setting where they are already comfortable receiving care,” says Elizabeth Woike-Ganga, LCSW-R, President and CEO of BestSelf Behavioral Health. “Integrating behavioral and physical health care supports our goal of helping the people we work with improve their overall wellness and health on their journeys to being their Best Selves.”

In addition to providing primary care services to BestSelf patients at the Bridgeview site, Neighborhood will also offer referrals to BestSelf patients so they can access other integrated services at Neighborhood’s main sites.

BestSelf Behavioral Health, Inc. is the largest community-based behavioral health organization serving children and adults with mental health and substance use disorders in Western New York.