Maternal & Family Health Services (MFHS), a health and human services nonprofit, has brought new life into a decades-vacant, former silk mill in Scranton’s South Side. Since opening in May 2023, the organization’s newest location—affectionately dubbed “MFHS Circle of Care”—has been bustling with energy in a low-income, high-need area.
The holistic and patient-centered approach, practiced at 820 S. Washington Avenue, is formally recognized in the health care community as a maternity medical home. The goal is to proactively manage a patient’s care in a single location, integrate a variety of services and social supports, and streamline care to avoid multiple appointments at different sites. Many MFHS patients report facing transportation challenges, and this one-stop-shop model specifically addresses those challenges and more.
MFHS is currently the only organization in the Commonwealth implementing a maternity medical home model of care. While it’s a relatively new concept, early evidence shows improved health outcomes for pregnant people and newborns, especially when supportive wraparound services are in place and accessible. The sharp uptick in new client appointments and walk-ins, paired with a notable decrease in missed appointments and delayed care, indicates to the MFHS team that they are on the right track.
Along with the sensible innovation in the care delivery structure, the building itself shines in stark contrast to traditional health care spaces. The exposed brick, bright brand colors, and large windows throughout this new medical facility were deliberately integrated to preserve the building’s architectural elements while lending a warmer, less clinical, and more welcoming feel to the space as a whole.
MFHS President and CEO Maria Montoro-Edwards, PhD, said, “The design and flow of this space was really important to us and we needed every inch to feel welcoming, bright, and safe. The architect and interior designer captured our vision beautifully. Patients tell us they’re actually happy to come here, and we love that.”
More commonly recognized, core MFHS-administered services include prenatal and postnatal care, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) home-visiting program for pregnant and parenting persons, breastfeeding and lactation support, and confidential reproductive health services. Relatively recent—and much needed—service line expansions at the new location include postpartum depression and anxiety care, general primary care and pediatric services, ultrasounds, laboratory services, and full-service oral health services for pregnant and parenting persons and their children.
More than 300 patients have visited MFHS’ innovative on-site dental clinic in its first nine months of operation. The oral health suite, equipped with same-day crowns and X-ray capabilities, has been described as “life-changing” for many patients and their young children. Between access issues and payment challenges, most new patients are overdue for a standard cleaning or have been suffering alone through more significant oral health issues.
“We have everything you’d see at a private dental office, right here,” said Chief Clinical Officer Julie Nardella, PhD, MSN/Ed, RN. “We survey patients all the time to make sure we’re providing what they expect and what they need. The satisfaction rate in dental is 98 percent. Patients feel good when they come here.”
MFHS’ on-site dentist, John Cimini, DMD, is well-known in the community and stays busy running his own private practice. Another key member of the oral health team is a dental hygienist, Angela Zaino-Hallock, RDH, PHDHP, EFDA. “Patients adore Angela and she’s incredible with the kids,” Nardella added. “And—a lot of people don’t know this—but Dr. Cimini gives up his Fridays off to be here. He never makes a big deal about it, of course, but it is a big deal to us. We’re really grateful.”
MFHS serves more than 90,000 people annually across 17 counties in eastern Pennsylvania, providing essential preventive and responsive health services to women, children, and families. Although the organization was established more than 50 years ago, its leadership does not rely on the historic crutch of maintaining the status quo. Instead, MFHS maintains a deliberate focus on listening, educating, and providing quality care to meet the evolving needs of today’s patients—an approach that remains at the forefront of every decision.
While the expansion into the new location was necessary to meet identified patient needs, the spike in client numbers in such a short time since its opening is especially noteworthy. More than 3,100 participants visit the MFHS Scranton location each month to access WIC—Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children—benefits, with nearly 1,000 of those served being new enrollees since the location opened. The data also show a 22 percent increase in new maternity patients and a 26 percent increase in deliveries. On-site fetal ultrasounds in 3D and 4D are now performed during second and third trimester visits, helping to ease the minds of moms-to-be while proactively identifying any potential challenges.
To better serve growing families, MFHS recently welcomed Richard English, MD, a family medicine physician, along with a certified registered nurse practitioner. Integrating primary care into the MFHS clinical workflow has been seamless, and both providers are able to see patients of all ages.
MFHS leadership will continue to identify areas of impact and address community needs. Montoro-Edwards believes a maternity medical home could have a significant impact in Monroe County and is energized by the possibility of replicating the unique strategy that set the Scranton location up for success from day one.
Montoro-Edwards shared, “From the start, we had a goal to open this location without debt. We knew it would be a stretch, but we also knew we were bringing something special—and very much needed—to this area.” A blend of sources, including RACP funding, New Markets Tax Credits, private donors and foundations, the City of Scranton, and more, came together to fully fund MFHS’ Circle of Care location. “So many people and organizations rallied behind the idea, and the collaboration has been sensational,” she added. “We feel the community’s presence every single day we get to walk through these doors and do what we do. As Julie said, we’re grateful. We know our clients are grateful, too.”
