From mental and behavioral health treatment to services tailored specifically for LGBTQ+ patients (and even legal aid), the new Samaritan InterCommunity Health Clinic in Albany strives to meet every individual’s unique needs all under one roof.

The clinic officially opened its doors late last year, serving members of InterCommunity Health Network Coordinated Care Organization (IHN-CCO) across Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties. It harnesses a broad spectrum of community partnerships and resources to offer comprehensive, personalized care while expanding access and capacity in the region.

“The intention of this clinic is to provide better wraparound services for clients who are most in need here in our community,” said Melissa McPherson, a family nurse practitioner at the clinic. “Our goal here is to provide high-quality care to patients who, maybe at times, have fallen through the health cracks.”

Dr. Cosimo Storniolo, a physician at the clinic, said patients can meet with multiple providers in one place to address a variety of health care needs, including social determinants of health such as housing and food insecurity.

“The idea is for this clinic to meet people where they’re at,” Storniolo said.

Community Partnerships

The clinic’s model aligns with each of the seven key health themes identified in IHN-CCO’s 2022-26 Regional Health Assessment:

Access to Affordable Housing and Homelessness.
Access to Quality Care.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Food Insecurity and Access.
Healthy Youth and Families.
Mental Health.
Substance Use and Misuse.

That assessment was developed in collaboration with all three county health departments; IHN-CCO’s own Community Advisory Council; the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; United Way of Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties; and the Linn Benton Lincoln Health Equity Alliance. Community partnerships are crucial to the success of IHN-CCO, and one of the key strengths of the clinic is its ability to engage these partners for additional patient support.

“We try to stay as flexible as possible,” McPherson said. “The appointment is not about the provider and provider needs. This is about the patient and patient needs and addressing what is most important to the patient at that time.”

Medical Legal Partnership

Located at 1086 SW 7th Ave., Ste. 101, next to Samaritan Albany General Hospital, the clinic is just a short walk from essential medical services, such as lab work and X-rays. The clinic team includes behavioral health consultants who can provide support with mental health or substance use issues.

Meanwhile, the clinic has formed a partnership with Legal Aid Services of Oregon to offer free help with or referrals to non-criminal matters such as:

Public benefits and medical assistance.
Elder abuse.
Landlord/tenant issues.
Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions.
Utilities.
Evictions.
Custody and guardianship for children.
Protection from abuse orders.
Name and gender marker changes.

Clinic patients may be eligible for legal assistance if their income is below 125% of federal poverty guidelines or if they are 60 or older, regardless of income.

“My message to patients is if you have experienced difficulties with health care, I want you to try our clinic,” McPherson said. “We understand that life happens, and we are not going to turn you away. You are always welcome here.”