Addabbo Health Extension Finally Opens

The Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center (JPAFHC) is only getting bigger! On Friday, May 9, the center located at 6200 Beach Channel Drive, officially celebrated the grand opening of its newly constructed annex facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Bringing together health center leadership, dedicated staff, board members, government officials, community partners, and residents, the event marked the official opening of a transformative expansion.

Initially breaking ground in 2018, the annex project has completed an over 20,000-square-foot, LEED-certified extension adjacent to the existing JPAFHC site. The expansion includes 21 new exam rooms, enhanced clinical and administrative spaces, 25 off-street parking spaces, and 7,000 square feet of green space — all designed to meet the highest standards of accessibility, safety, and environmental sustainability.

“This annex is more than a building–it’s a beacon of progress, and access to care,” said Renee Hastick-Motes, CEO of JPAFHC. “It represents over a decade of unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes and removing barriers to care. This new space allows us to expand our services, reduce wait times, and create a more seamless patient experience. I am proud of our team, grateful to our partners, and energized by what’s ahead.”

Constructed while the existing healthcare center remained fully operational, the facility includes new testing areas, labs, conference rooms, ADA-compliant elevators and bathrooms, upgraded infrastructure, and life-safety systems. This carefully phased development, done to Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) standards, ensured that patient care remained uninterrupted throughout construction.

Congressman Gregory Meeks, a long-standing champion of equitable healthcare in Queens and a key supporter of securing federal funding for the project, was on hand to commemorate the opening.

“I have always been an advocate for providing the Addabbo Family Health Center with adequate federal funding to serve the growing and diverse population of the Rockaways,” Meeks said. “Investing in the facility’s expansion allows for healthcare personnel to improve their medical services for patients and continue providing them with the quality care they deserve.”

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., whose father the health center is named after, also offered his support. “I am proud to celebrate this remarkable achievement for Rockaway and our community,” Addabbo said. “The new annex of the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center represents a significant step forward in expanding access to quality healthcare for all residents. This state-of-the-art facility not only enhances our healthcare infrastructure but also underscores our commitment to ensuring every individual in our community receives the care they deserve—close to home, with dignity and compassion.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in making this vision a reality. The Addabbo family is immensely proud of the work done at the center, the dedicated efforts of its staff, and the credible expansion of my father’s vision for local, accessible, affordable, exceptional healthcare.”

JPAFHC Board Chair Betty A. Leon said, “This annex has been a long time coming, and I’m so proud to see the doors finally opening. The new extension will allow us to serve more people even more efficiently, and with the compassion that has defined the Addabbo mission for decades. This building is more than a structure, it’s a statement about JPAFHC: we are here, we are growing, and we aren’t done yet.”

The event also included remarks from COO Arlene Rodriguez and local elected officials, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and NYC Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, who have supported the health center’s growth.

With the annex now open, JPAFHC reaffirms its mission to serve the whole person and community with comprehensive, affordable healthcare delivered with integrity, respect, and excellence.