Health Center Faced with Closure After Being Deceived and Blindsided: Patients Uncertain About Future Care

The St. Mary Health Center, the only health center in Wilmington that provides free emergency dental services to low-income patients, is facing closure. Executive director Laura Vinson was blindsided after receiving a letter from the basilica where the center is located, requesting them to vacate the premises. The basilica stated that they needed the rooms currently used by the Dental Clinic and asked the center to relocate.

The St. Mary Health Center was given until July 1 to vacate the premises despite attempts to negotiate for more time by purchasing an insurance plan as suggested by the church. Vinson expressed feeling deceived as they were under the impression that there was a plan in place to support them until they secured a new location. Volunteer Kathy Smith, who has been at the center for a decade, finds the situation shocking and believes it is a setback for the valuable work they do in the community.

Patients who rely on the services provided by the center are now uncertain about where they will receive care in the future. Smith noted that patients have expressed concerns and fears about not receiving the same level of care they are accustomed to. The impact of