There is some fantastic news on the horizon. 

The Highland Healthcare Facility Access Initiative is one step closer to becoming a reality. As you know some significant funding has been provided to open a new Healthcare Facility at the former site of Dr. Richard Deboul’s medical practice on Route 97 in Barryville. 

The facility has remained empty for some time since Dr. Daboul tragically passed away in June 2021. Longtime Barryville resident and current Town of Highland Board Member Dr. Christopher Dickey made note of our community’s loss of local medical care. 

As an Assistant Professor at NYU School of Global Public Health, he has a rare area of expertise –  international rural public healthcare, which finds him frequently traveling to remote areas of India and Africa developing health care clinics that are tailored to the needs of the local communities. 

He got to work gathering information and at first, met with skepticism and some distrust, since we have been so disappointed in the past and have become accustomed to selecting the lesser of two evils when choosing our healthcare. 

Shortly afterwards, a community meeting was held at the Senior Center with Chris and two young rural health doctors who explained many things and answered every question in the room. 

Then his students from NYU began calling those of us who signed up for a survey about the actual details of what we needed to do to get our medical needs taken care of. 

For example, interviewers found it hard to believe that in New York State we drove on average, forty minutes, for medical appointments. Dr. Dickey, along with the Board members of the Town of Highland, were able to get significant start-up funding from Assemblywoman Paula Kay, Sullivan 180 and the New York Health Foundation.

The Highland Health Care Center location has not been renovated as of yet, but Dr. Dickey and the Board Members of the Center will be holding a preliminary Open House on Thursday, January 22nd from 3-5pm. 

During the Open House the facilities layout and building plans will be available and the public are invited to come and check out the location and plans. 

The goal is to reach a common understanding of the Health Care Facility’s health model, the timeline desired outcomes, resource needs, and the role of their partners. 

Invited guests include Assembly member Paula Kay, Nadia Rajsz, Chair of the Sullivan County Legislature, Denise Frangipane, the CEO of Sullivan 180, John Little, Sullivan County Commissioner of Health and Human Services, The Town of Highland Supervisor John Pizzolato, and members of the Town of Highland Board. 

Dr. Chris Dickey said, “Before we begin renovating the Barryville Community Health Facility, we want to engage with the local community to help us ensure that the design reflects the specific needs of the community. 

“We are committed to ensuring that our community remains equally informed about the plans, alongside our partners and elected officials,” he said. “The Open House program will include: a tour of the facility prior to renovation, an open discussion on the community health model, an overview of forthcoming steps and reporting, a question-and-answer session, adjournment, and a coffee and cake reception. The Highland Healthcare Facility Open House event will be located at 3452 Route 97 in Barryville, NY 12719.