Commissioners welcome Northwell Health clinics; state health rep. urges more outreach

Commissioners used part of their Feb. 4 meeting to highlight an expansion of local health services by Northwell Health and to hear an overview of state public‑health services available to county residents.

A short promotional video introduced a Northwell Health urgent‑care/physician partner facility in Dingmans Ferry and noted a second site planned on Route 6 near Lake Long. A county official said the offices provide walk‑in care, lab services and some x‑ray capabilities and could be the start of expanded local services; "Eventually, the hope is to develop a micro hospital in Pike County," the presenter said.

A representative of the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Milford office, who did not give a full name in the transcript, described services offered from the county health center on Buse Road: vaccinations for uninsured or underinsured residents, STD testing (including syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia), HIV testing and treatment referrals, tuberculosis testing and lead monitoring for children. The representative also noted community outreach such as school education and senior‑center clinics and that the office distributes free Narcan and fentanyl test strips. "We do STD testing... We also have free Narcan," the official said.

The department official asked the county to help publicize the state health center, noting that online searches for local STD testing currently direct residents to providers in neighboring counties. Commissioners agreed to assist with outreach and suggested local media coverage.

The board did not take any formal action tied to the Northwell presentation at the meeting; commissioners welcomed the private‑sector expansion and discussed ways to increase public awareness of state health services.