A $650,000 federal award completes Edgewater Health's transition to a federally funded health center.

The Gary health organization was granted look-alike status in 2019 and has been building its people, infrastructure and partnerships to receive full recognition.

“This is a defining moment for Edgewater Health,” said Dr. Danita Johnson Woods, president and CEO, in a press release. “When we became an FQHC Look-Alike in 2019, we knew we were building toward something larger. Seven years later, this award marks the next chapter in that journey.”

The award was granted by the Health Resources and Services Administration on July 23 with a mandate to expand primary care in Northwest Indiana. Plans for access in Gary, Merrillville, Cedar Lake and Griffith are in the planning stages.

The funds are part of a $5.55 million public and private investment for the project.

“I believe that improving access to world-class health services for any individual regardless of their income or ability to pay strengthens all of our communities,” U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan said. “Let us build on this positive momentum and continue to increase access to opportunities for healthcare for everyone throughout Northwest Indiana.”

Edgewater Health is also expanding access with a new school-based health center at West Side Leadership Academy in Gary.

“For over 50 years, Edgewater Health has stood with the people of Northwest Indiana, and we are proud to have an even stronger platform from which to expand access to care,” Wood said.