NorthShore Health Centers celebrated the grand opening of its first facility in Gary, Ind., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked both a healthcare milestone and a deep investment in the local community. Located on Grant Street, the new facility will offer family practice, dental, optical, and mental health services with plans to expand even further.
As part of the event, NorthShore also donated $500 each to three community-focused programs: Faith Community Development Corporation (Faith CDC), Brothers’ Keeper, and West Side Leadership Academy. These donations reflect NorthShore’s broader mission to not only provide healthcare, but also strengthen the communities it serves.
“I think it's going to be huge for the community of Gary,” said Communications Manager Dennisha Mitchell. “Now we're here in their community. They don't have to travel to Merrillville or a nearby city. This is definitely more accessible and gives them an opportunity to receive great care.”
The new facility is designed to meet the needs of a historically underserved population, providing convenient access to essential services and creating new opportunities for outreach and collaboration across the city.
“It feels awesome,” Mitchell said. “It’s a testament to all of the great things that NorthShore is doing and expanding on our mission, which is providing the most comprehensive care to everyone.”
The excitement was shared by Director of Community Engagement Gervay Dickerson, who was born and raised in Gary and expressed a personal connection to the project.
“To see the organization come in and transform this building into something amazing for the community, where they can get quality healthcare and all the services—it’s absolutely awesome,” Dickerson said.
Dickerson emphasized that NorthShore’s presence will benefit working families and foster collaboration with other local agencies.
“We know it's not just about medical care,” Dickerson said. “There’s education, mental health, and other support systems. We try to truly be embedded in the community because our community deserves that.”
Board Member Wilma Vazquez, who has served with NorthShore since 2015, reflected on how the new Gary facility aligns with the organization’s mission to provide accessible care for underserved communities.
“There are individuals here in this community that could probably walk here,” Vazquez said. “Having this location close to the highway, on a major street, and having transportation access is essential.”
Vazquez, a retired educator, also envisions long-term partnerships between NorthShore and local schools.
“If we can get NorthShore in the schools, as we do in Portage, it would impact students greatly,” Vazquez said. “When children are healthy—mentally, physically, and socially—they learn better. It's a blessing for our children and our community.”
For many in attendance, the event was not only about healthcare but also about lifting up Gary’s future generations. DeAndre Teamer, a teacher at the Gary Community School Corporation, attended on behalf of West Side Leadership Academy and expressed gratitude for the donation to the school’s music program.
“The donation from NorthShore will definitely impact my program by supplying students with resources like equipment and accessories,” Teamer said. “It’ll help the students succeed as musicians.”
Though his school’s band was unable to perform at the event, Teamer still made it a point to attend, emphasizing the significance of the moment.
“I think it's a beautiful thing,” Teamer said. “It's very convenient for the people around here, and it's a good look for the city.”
With the opening of the Gary facility, NorthShore continues to expand its footprint in Northwest Indiana while staying true to its commitment to comprehensive, compassionate, and community-based care.
For more information on NorthShore Health Centers Gary location, please visit its website at the link here.
