NIAMS Community Health Center (NIH)

Unity Health Care, Inc.
Upper Cardozo Health Center
Washington, DC

NIH confirmed a mutual need to provide services to a specific underserved population of Washington D.C. They obtained two unused radiology rooms and a dark room in a community clinic and challenged Huelat Parimucha to create an outreach patient service facility in the available 700 square feet. The program was to include four office/exam rooms, a conference/lunch room with pantry, reception/control, sub-waiting, nurse’s office, three physician dictation areas, locker space, an upgraded handicap toilet and circulation.

The design was created with extensive interaction and input from many patient representatives in addition to the local and NIH staff. The finished facility is comfortable and efficient with relevant equipment on virtually every wall. Some have compared it with a Clinic in a Submarine. NIH Director Dr. Elias Zerhouni described it as a Landmark project for NIH in their quest to extend specialty services to the community and a model for future facilities.