Bronx, NY — September 9, 2025 – State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Union Community Health Center (UNION) celebrated a $1,115,000 capital investment to renovate and expand UNION’s Dental Clinic at 2021 Grand Concourse in the Bronx. This project will significantly improve access to dental care for Bronx residents by reducing wait times and increasing service capacity. Senator Rivera’s funding allocation supports part of a broader renovation of the facility.

A community anchor institution, UNION has served the health care needs of the Bronx for more than 115 years. UNION provides care to nearly 40,000 patients annually. In addition to comprehensive primary and specialty care, UNION operates one of the largest dental practices in the Bronx, serving patients with Medicaid and Medicare through one of New York City’s most extensive oral health programs. In 2024 alone, its dental department delivered nearly 50,000 visits - yet patients across the Bronx continue to face significant delays due to overwhelming demand and space constraints.

Senator Gustavo Rivera, who represents the Senate 33rd District in the Bronx and serves as Chair of the New York State Senate Health Committee, was proud to allocate funding towards this investment in dental care access for his district. His advocacy underscores the importance of neighborhood-based solutions that address structural inequities in healthcare.

“This clinic expansion reflects the kind of bold, community-rooted investment needed to close persistent gaps in healthcare,” said Senator Rivera. “I’m proud to devote funds to community-based facilities like Union Community Health Center to ensure that Bronx residents receive timely, high-quality care in a space that respects their dignity and embodies the values of a more equitable health system.”

The project will feature an expanded Dental Clinic with four additional operatories, reducing wait times and improving care delivery. The center is part of a broader transformation of the Grand Concourse site that will co-locate dental, primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, behavioral health, and UNION’s Mother-Child Center- creating a single-site model of integrated, equitable care that is rarely available in historically underserved communities.

“This investment represents more than bricks and mortar - it’s a commitment to access, addressing a severe shortage of dental services in the Bronx,” said Dr. Douglas York, PhD, MPH, President & Chief Executive Officer of Union Community Health Center. “Bronx families deserve superior quality care that is timely, accessible, and delivered in an environment designed for their needs. This project brings us closer to that goal.”

Construction is expected to begin shortly. UNION will ensure uninterrupted services for patients throughout the renovation process.

The expansion project marks a major step forward in closing health access gaps in the Bronx, offering residents access to comprehensive and responsive care in a welcoming and modern setting.