Community Health Center Celebrates 20 Years of Service

Molly Lobel, a nurse practitioner and director of clinical services at Nasson Health Care, attends to patient.

Photo: Nasson Health Care

By Mike Froning, Nasson Health Care communications specialist

When York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC) opened Spruce Street Health Center in 2004, Google had just launched a new email service called Gmail, Mark Zuckerberg had just begun his Facebook venture, and after 86 years many long-suffering Red Sox fans were celebrating a World Series title. Though much has changed over the course of 20 years, one constant is that health care center, now called Nasson Health Care, and its dedication to York County citizens.

The center will celebrate its 20-year anniversary with an open house from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday, Aug. 8, that will feature tours of the facility at 15 Oak St. In Springvale, including the new dental suite. In addition, members of the public are invited to celebrate anytime from 9 am to 5 pm. Light refreshments, raffles and other activities and information will be available.

From its humble beginnings on the ground floor of the YCCAC building on Spruce Street in Sanford that had limited space and medical providers, the organization served nearly 1,600 patients. Demand continued to increase. Over time, through community partnerships and a dedicated staff team, the organization came to the realization that they needed to expand.

As additional funding became available, Spruce Street Health Center transitioned into York County Health Center and moved to a larger location on Patriots Lane in South Sanford. Added space meant that providers had access to additional medical exam rooms, behavioral health rooms and dental suites. But as York County continued to grow, so did the demand for health care services that offered patient-centered care in a facility committed to coordinating comprehensive treatment for all health needs.

In 2012, the organization became Nasson Health Care, and along with the new name, Nasson received additional funding to expand into its current location space, the site of the former Nasson College science center. With six providers, 25 employees and a larger space, Nasson was able to serve more than 5,500 patients.

Fast forward to 2024, and Nasson Health Care now has two locations, Springvale and 357 Elm St. in Biddeford. Annually Nasson serves over 7,500 patients and employs 75 staff members that include 20 providers in 28 medical exam rooms. With a shortage of dental care throughout the state, Nasson understood that dental care needed to be a focus, so soon they will be opening a new dental suite that will increase its capacity by 50 percent. Staff will employ state-of-the-art technology to serve the ever-increasing demand for dental care. There are also plans for a new behavioral health wing with check-in areas and waiting room updates.