Atrium Health and YMCA of Greater Charlotte Bring New Health Care Option to West Charlotte

Ed Brown Community Center will preserve legacy of ensuring access to care

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 15, 2024 – Atrium Health, in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, is bringing convenient access to health care to the West Boulevard corridor of Charlotte at the new Ed Brown Community Center. On March 15, a ribbon-cutting was held for the new medical building, located on the campus of the Stratford Richardson YMCA. The Atrium Health Community Care Primary Care West Boulevard Family Medicine clinic, housed inside the Ed Brown Community Center at 1940 West Blvd., in Charlotte, will open to its first patients on March 18, bringing access to an area of the city that has been historically unserved and underserved.

Edward J. Brown III was a prominent Charlotte business leader and selfless philanthropist who inspired others to make a difference in the community. In addition to leadership roles with Bank of America and Hendrick Automotive, Brown served on multiple civic boards – including 19 years as part of The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority Board of Commissioners, which he chaired from 2013-2021. He challenged Atrium Health to build new care sites in vulnerable communities, a push that led to the clinic concept being implemented at the Stratford Richardson YMCA.

Brown and his wife’s gracious philanthropy included gifts to establish Atrium Health’s Jan & Ed Brown Center for Pulmonary Medicine and to bring novel therapies in lymphoma treatment to Atrium Health Levine Cancer.

Brown passed away in April 2023.

"Ed Brown, our visionary board chair, was an unwavering advocate for better health care access, especially in vulnerable communities that have historically been underserved," said Eugene A. Woods, CEO of Advocate Health, which includes Atrium Health. “His tireless dedication to our 'for all’ mission and to health equity is reflected in this new clinic serving the West Boulevard community – and has also shaped the organization we have become."

The approximately 5,000 square foot clinic will have six exam rooms, a minor surgical procedure room, a lab and on-site prescription pick-up. Services provided will include pediatric care, women’s care, preventive health care, physicals, x-rays, hearing and vision screenings, electrocardiograms, same-day sick appointments, a food pharmacy in partnership with Nourish Up (formerly Loaves & Fishes) and, beginning in April there will be virtual behavioral health care. To assist patients with their visit there will be interpretation services for 40 languages and social work services to connect with community resources.

In keeping with Brown’s belief that care should be accessible for all, Atrium Health Foundation has established the Ed Brown Community Center Fund. It is intended to support a wide range of patient and care delivery needs at the Ed Brown Community Center.

“I’m excited to see the Stratford Richardson YMCA transform into a community integrated campus, beginning with the opening of the Ed Brown Community Center,” said Sue Glass, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. “Teaming up with partners like Atrium Health allows us to have a greater impact in the areas of our community that need it most. As our Y celebrates 150 years this year, projects and investments like this show our long-term commitment to the community’s future.”

When the Y received a major gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in 2020, it began exploring ways to invest alongside community partners in areas of need within its footprint, including the West Boulevard Corridor. Funding for the Ed Brown Community Center and family medicine clinic was provided, in part, by a $2 million federal appropriation secured by Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, as well as funds allocated from Scott’s gift.

“Health care is one of my ‘four H’s,’ a signature focus for my office, especially when it comes to expanding access to care in disadvantaged communities,” said Congresswoman Alma S. Adams. “The $2 million we secured to help transform the Stratford Richardson YMCA into a health community campus will be vital to our West Boulevard corridor community. It is also a way for us to thank Edward Brown for his service to our community. While I did not know Ed personally, he demonstrated a determination to give back, working to ensure as many people as possible have access to the care they need. May better food security, increased access to care and more opportunities for our youth and teens – and all those who benefit from these services around West Boulevard – be Ed’s lasting legacy.” 

The Ed Brown Community Center will be open for patients Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients may call 980-402-1660 or go to the MyAtriumHealth website or app to schedule an appointment.