Kilpatrick applauds opening of Samaritan Center

Proud of her role in gaining federal support
for programs that will be housed in facility

Detroit - Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-15th District of Michigan) today lauded Trinity Health Systems for its donation of the former Mercy Hospital campus to Boysville of Michigan and SER Metro Detroit. The facility, which has been shuttered since last March, will now provide a home for a wide range of community organizations serving Detroit’s east side.

Mercy closed last year largely due to Congressional cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. Kilpatrick opposed the cuts and mourned the loss of the hospital. As Samaritan Center, the facility will be a collaborative community resource center for surrounding neighborhoods.

“The loss of Mercy Hospital was a devastating blow to the surrounding community, but I am very pleased that this facility will offer job training, youth services, child care, family services, career counseling and other vital services,” Kilpatrick said.

Kilpatrick is especially happy that Trinity Health Systems will continue to have a presence in the campus by operating a primary care clinic at the former hospital. A member of the House Appropriations Committee, Kilpatrick procured $383,000 for the clinic in the fiscal year 2001 federal budget.

“Access to health care is a major quality of life issue and I am very glad that this campus will continue to offer health services to the community,” Kilpatrick said.