CBWCHC Celebrates its Capital Projects Department

The Capital Projects Department expands the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center’s (CBWCHC) physical capacity, enhances existing spaces, and improves building infrastructure. From developing new clinical spaces to optimizing administrative offices, Capital Projects makes sure our sites are built and set up so that we can deliver outstanding care to every one of our patients and to any community member who walks through our doors. The department has five deeply committed team members, including its director and associate director, and three Capital Projects Associates.

“Our Capital Projects team is small but incredibly mighty,” said Kaushal Challa, CEO of the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. “They are relentless in their work to acquire, develop, maintain, and approve our facilities so we are always in the best position to deliver award-winning health care services to the community.”

Steven Ellis, the Director of Capital Projects, answered some questions to help others understand his department’s crucial role in the Health Center’s operations.

How does the Capital Projects department contribute to the Health Center’s mission to provide high-quality and affordable health care to all?

Steven: Over the past decade, our Capital Projects team has created more than 100,000 square feet of space for patients, staff, and the community. We believe that high-quality, beautiful space has a positive effect on the clinical care we provide at the Health Center.

What makes you most proud about your department’s work?

Steven: The tangible impact we make in delivering this high quality-space for the patients we serve is a tremendous source of motivation for us. Working on close collaboration with Lynn Sherman, Executive Vice President of Finance, IT, Capital Projects and HR, I am especially proud of bringing 17 new dental treatment suites to the community at our newest location at 131-72 40th Road in Flushing, Queens. I like to imagine how a patient, who might have never received dental care in their life, now has the opportunity to have their teeth cleaned and see a dentist in a state-of-the-art space that rivals even the most renowned private practices in New York City.

What are some of the challenges you face in your position?

Steven: Anyone who lives in New York knows that space is a premium. The same is true for us: There is a constant need for more space. We are utilizing new tools to accommodate changing patterns in how staff work, incorporating a hoteling model at our sites that allows our employees to work from a number of open workstations.

Part of what makes our Health Center great is that we are open seven days a week, but that also makes it challenging for us to renovate spaces. We are committed to making sure our physical spaces are in the best condition for our clinical staff members to deliver the highest level of care.

What do you like most about working for the Health Center?

Steven: Working for a community health center is incredibly rewarding. Seeing the difference my colleagues and I make in the world, understanding that we are furthering equality in health care for all, is a truly meaningful pursuit.

What is one thing about your department that you’d like people to know?

Steven: All of us in Capital Projects believe that everyone should have access to high-quality health care. We work tirelessly behind the scenes, using our specialized knowledge and skills, to accomplish this goal.