September 26, 2023

Dr. Alison Curcio Appointed as Chief of Patient Walk-In Center at Lowell Community Health Center

Lowell Community Health Center is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Alison Curcio as the new Chief of the Patient Walk-In Center. Dr. Curcio brings with her 18 years of frontline emergency medicine experience and specialized training in Simulation Medicine aimed at enhancing patient safety and care quality. She has also previously contributed to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, developing protocols for optimized medication use in Emergency Departments.

Dr. Curcio received her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, completed her medical education at Emory University School of Medicine, and subsequently pursued a residency in Emergency Medicine through the Harvard program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Susan West Levine, CEO of Lowell Community Health Center, praised the appointment, stating, “We are exceptionally fortunate to have Dr. Curcio join our team. With her years of frontline emergency medicine experience and specialized training in Simulation Medicine, she brings significant expertise to our health center. Dr. Curcio will be instrumental in developing a service model that better guides patients to the most appropriate care settings, thereby reducing unnecessary emergency room visits. Her leadership will be key to expanding our Walk-In Center’s services to better meet the healthcare needs of our community.”

Dr. Alison Curcio expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “I am excited to work with such an incredible team at the Patient Walk-In Center, and at the health center, and to be able to continue and expand upon the tremendous services provided by the walk-in center.”

Dr. Kumble Rajesh, Chief Medical Officer of Lowell Community Health Center, highlighted the significance of her expertise, noting, “Dr. Curcio’s vast experience in emergency medicine will be invaluable in optimizing and expanding our services at the Patient Walk-In Center and to the patients we serve.”

About the Patient Walk-In Center

The Patient Walk-In Center offers a range of Immediate Care walk-in services for Lowell Community Health Center patients. Services include, but are not limited to, sick visits, joint injuries, stitches, assistance with sprains and back pain, treatment of skin infections such as poison ivy, non-severe allergy management, ear lavage, and on-the-spot testing for conditions like COVID-19, pregnancy, urinary infections, vaginal infections, sore throats, and flu.

Click Here – To learn about the Patient Walk-In Center and its hours.

April 21, 2023

Notice to Patients: Ending of Public Health Emergency

Dear Lowell Community Health Center Patients, 
 
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends on May 11, 2023. The Public Health Emergency allowed special permissions to health providers to care for you and your family during the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Here is some information about what this change means for you at Lowell Community Health Center, starting May 12, 2023. Guidelines from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are still being finalized, and we will provide additional updates as necessary. 
 
Masks: 

As of May 12, masks will no longer be required within Lowell Community Health Center. Masks are strongly recommended for anyone with a cough, fever, sneezing, shortness of breath, or with other symptoms. 

Masks are available in the health center at all times if you are more comfortable wearing one for medical or personal reasons. 

Prescriptions: 
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, patients have been able to get controlled substances during a virtual care phone or video visit. Examples of controlled substances include:  

  • Opioid pain medications (for example: oxycodone) 
  • Anxiety medications (for example: clonazepam) 
  • Sleep medications (for example: zolpidem) 
  • Other medications (for example: phentermine for weight loss)  

Starting on May 12, if you take these medications regularly, you may need to have an in-person visit to continue getting them. Your care team will contact you if you need an in-person visit to renew your medications. 
 
Also starting May 12, patients may need to see their provider in-person before starting controlled substances for the first time. 
 
COVID-19 Vaccines: 
Insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid (Mass Health), will continue to cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines after the Public Health Emergency ends. There may be a co-pay for your vaccine, depending on your insurance plan. 
 
Check with your insurance company if you have questions about the cost of a COVID-19 vaccine. 
 
COVID-19 Testing: 
Tests ordered by a provider – Your insurance company will continue to cover the cost of COVID-19 testing when a provider orders the test, if you have been exposed or have symptoms. Elective testing, such as for travel, may not be covered. 

At-home testing – Most insurance companies will no longer reimburse you for buying at-home COVID-19 tests. If you want to purchase at-home COVID-19 tests before insurance reimbursements end, you can do so at your local pharmacy or online.  

You can still order free at-home COVID-19 tests from the government until the end of the Public Health Emergency. See www.covid.gov/tests for more information. 

COVID-19 Treatment and Therapies: 
There is no change in coverage for COVID-19 treatment. If you are paying a deductible or cost share for these treatments now, then you will continue to pay these costs after the end of the Public Health Emergency. 

If you have any questions, please contact us on your MyChart app, through our website lchealth.org, or by calling 978.937.9700. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Kumble Rajesh, Chief Medical Officer & Dr. Elizabeth Hale, Chief Operating Officer

Parking Alert For The Edward Early Garage (across from the Health Center)

UPDATE (4/14/23): Maintenance Work Now Expected To Last Through May 1st.

Notice from the City of Lowell: The second-floor left side parking spaces will be closed for maintenance from Friday April 7, 2023 until Friday April 14, 2023. Please use caution while driving on the right side as it will be utilized as both an entrance and exit during this period. Garage staff reminds us that the speed limit is 5 miles per hour in the garage. Anyone parking on the left side in the cordoned off maintenance area will be towed at their own expense.

March 21, 2023
Dr. Daza Nunez

Lowell CHC Places High Priority on Childhood Literacy

Dr. Daza Nunez

Dr. Daza Nunez is carrying the torch for early literacy at Lowell CHC, where children receive brand new books during well-child visits through Reach out and Read.

Dr. Nunez has always had a love of language and community health. She speaks English and Spanish and is working hard to perfect her Portuguese. Lowell Community Health Center is the perfect place to sharpen her skills.

“I really love the values here … it means a lot to me to be part of a work place where I am not just a doctor, my background makes a difference, where I can understand the culture of my patients.”

Growing up in Colombia, Dr. Nunez always felt drawn to public service. The Reach Out and Read program brings her love for service to life. Dr. Nunez understands the impact reading has on our young patients. Reflecting the health center’s mission, she has ensured the program provides books in a number of languages to reflect our evolving patient population, including Portuguese, Dari and Pashto, much to the delight of newly arrived patients from Afghanistan.

“I love absolutely everything about this reading program” Dr. Daza Nunez says. “It goes beyond just promoting literacy. It’s about a connection between parents, their children, and our providers. It creates such benefits for families. When they see and interact with these beautiful books, especially in their own language, it means so much.”


Our whole-child model of care is only possible thanks to community support.

January 11, 2023

Bombas Donates 3,000 Pairs of Socks

October 5, 2022

A Better Way To Communicate With Your Care Team

MyChart is Coming Soon to Lowell Community Health Center!

All your health information in one place

See your medications, test results, upcoming appointments, medical bills, update your personal information, and more all in one place – even if you’ve been seen at multiple healthcare organizations.

Connect with your provider and care team

Send a message, request prescription refills, or arrange to follow up with your provider and care team from anywhere.

Quickly request appointments

Request appointments at your convenience; complete pre-visit tasks from home.

Manage a loved one’s care

Stay on top of everyone’s appointments and check in on family members who need extra help, all from your account.

MyChart is available in English and Spanish at this time.

September 1, 2022

Announcing New Clinical Leadership

We are pleased to announce the appointment of three important new clinical leadership roles supporting our ongoing efforts to improve the quality of care and patient and staff experience.  

Today’s appointees are:

  • Shaun Farraher, MD – Chief of Family Medicine
  • Sarah Greenlaw-Quinton, DMD – Chief of Dentistry
  • Natalie Bowen, MD – Associate Chief of Pediatrics

Drs. Farraher, Greenlaw-Quinton, and Bowen bring a breadth of experience and expertise to their roles. 

Dr. Shaun Farraher

Dr. Shaun Farraher is board certified in Family Medicine and has practiced at Lowell CHC since 2013. He graduated from American University of the Caribbean and completed his Family Medicine Residency at University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Farraher enjoys providing primary care for all members of the family, regardless of age. He lives in Greater Lowell and is motivated to improve the health of the community. Dr. Farraher has an interest in substance use disorder and is the Medical Director of Lowell Community Health Center Office Based Addiction Treatment Services (OBAT). In his free time, he enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking, mystery novels, and spending time with family.

Dr. Sarah Greenlaw-Quinton

Dr. Sarah Greenlaw-Quinton began working at Lowell CHC as a general dentist in February 2018 and has served as the Interim Dental Director since December 2021. She has always had a passion for increasing access to dental care in underserved communities. Dr. Greenlaw-Quinton completed her dental training at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2013, followed by a General Practice Residency focused on community health through Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. She previously worked at North Shore Community Health, where she discovered a love of teaching while mentoring dental student interns. In the past, she volunteered with Project Stretch as the Lead Dentist on a pediatric dental mission trip to Teacapan, Mexico, and as co-director of the Wampanoag Project, a multi-disciplinary collaboration treating the underserved Wampanoag Tribe of Martha’s Vineyard. To better communicate with and serve her patients, she has been learning Spanish and Portuguese. When not working, Dr. Greenlaw-Quinton enjoys baking, yoga, biking, and exploring the outdoors with her husband, their son, and their dog.

Dr. Natalie Bowen

Dr. Natalie Bowen has been working at Lowell CHC as a full-time primary care pediatrician since March 2020. Originally from Boulder, Colorado, she fell in love with mentorship and teaching early on through her experiences in coaching, research, and advocacy. This included a leadership role directing volunteer services for the eXtraordinarY Kids Clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr. Bowen graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Afterwards, she spent several years serving as a Locum Tenens physician, which gave her the privilege of serving in a variety of clinical and cultural settings and insight into models of team-based care across practices. It was her passion for working with culturally diverse communities and reducing health disparities that brought her to Lowell CHC, where she is excited to provide comprehensive primary care to her patients. Her specific interests include optimizing the medical home model and long-term management of chronic diseases with care coordination between specialists and care-team members. When not at work, she enjoys gardening, reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her husband Aaron, daughter Claire, and lab mix Luna.

October 22, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Information

Read More…

Lowell Community Health Center is currently NOT offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.  

COVID-19 vaccine booster shots may be available at some local pharmacies, checking the websites or calling ahead is recommended. 

If you have questions about your vaccine eligibility, please speak to your provider by calling 978-937-9700.

Click Here for More Information about COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters.

September 14, 2021

Announcement: Changes for Out-of-State Virtual Care Appointments

Virtual Care Appointments became a strong way to connect patients of Lowell Community Health Center with providers during the Covid-19 pandemic. For a time, some state and federal agencies waived requirements for virtual care appointments across state lines.

However, due to changes in those previously waived requirements — effective immediately Lowell Community Health Center will no longer be able to schedule Virtual Care appointments (video or phone) for patients located outside of Massachusetts.

Patients with questions regarding their care should contact Lowell CHC at 978-937-9700.