Giving Rye is a new occasional feature highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Lindsay Farrell of Open Door Family Medical Center.
Your Name: Lindsay Farrell
Organization: Open Door Family Medical Center
Your role: President and CEO
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission.
Farrell: Open Door Family Medical Center provides excellent, accessible, and personalized health care regardless of ability to pay to build healthier families and communities. We drive health equity and build thriving communities through quality, affordable, personalized care.
How long have you operated in Rye?
Farrell: Open Door Family Medical Center was founded 50 years ago in 1972 in Ossining. In 1995, we opened a site in Rye Brook before moving to Port Chester where we continue to serve the community. In 2004-2005 we opened our first School Based Health Center (SBHC) in Kennedy Magnet and Edison Elementary Schools. We have since expanded our SBHC to include the Port Chester Middle School and the Port Chester High School. In 2015 we initiated a new Mobile Dental Van program for the Port Chester SBHC.
What programming or work in Rye is the organization best known for?
Farrell: Open Door Port Chester offers an integrated approach to building healthier communities providing a full range of medical services for our patients including primary medical care, dental care, behavioral health services, women’s health and specialty services.
- Dental Care and dental residency. Our dental team provides a full range of dental care services and works with patients to keep their mouth, teeth, and gums healthy as part of our comprehensive care. The General Dental Practice Residency Program, in partnership with New York Medical College, provides a wide range of experience, including training in children’s dentistry, surgery, anesthesiology, and more.
- Behavioral health. At Open Door, we believe that a healthy mind is as important as a healthy body. Sound mental health allows people to think, feel, act and interact in positive ways.
- Care coordination and patient advocacy. We are committed to helping our patients learn the skills and access the resources necessary to follow their medical treatment plans and ultimately maximize their health outcomes.
Looking forward to 2024, what will be your top initiatives?
Farrell: Open Door’s focus on community health includes non-clinical approaches for improving health, preventing disease and reducing health disparities. Our nutrition and wellness programs, as well as HIV Care and services are essential elements to our patients’ success. In the coming year, we are looking forward to expanding our Behavioral Health services and our in-person wellness classes which we had to shut down during the pandemic.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
Farrell: We provide top-notch health care services to families with low incomes. About 47% of Open Door patients are uninsured, and the majority live at or below the federal poverty level, which is $27,500 for a family of four, according to 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Our Patient Navigators help new patients sign up for insurance and our Care Coordinators and Patient Navigators help patients to find the right care and access resources to help them follow their recommended course of care. New patients are encouraged to contact [email protected] or 914-OD-CARES (914-632-2737)
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Farrell: Yes
Looking back across 2023, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Farrell: Open Door has had a lot to celebrate this year. We are celebrating our 50-year anniversary serving the needs of our neighbors for coordinated, comprehensive, and affordable health care both within and – through its wraparound programs – beyond the exam room.
- New administrative offices. By mid-November, we will have moved our administrative offices from 2 Church Street in Ossining to 560 White Plains Road in Tarrytown. This is the first step in reconfiguring our facilities, across our seven sites, to expand our programs and servicing offerings.
- 10,000 babies! Over the Labor Day weekend, our midwife team delivered their 10,000th baby. We celebrated the milestone during Midwifery week, the first week in October, along with our 20 years of offering midwifery care to patients.
How can local residents support your organization?
Farrell: Community members can support the Open Door Foundation which raises funds that benefit Open Door Family Medical Center and local community health initiatives, including our expanded wellness services and patient advocacy. There are also numerous volunteer opportunities including food distribution, baby bundle program, reach out and read and our holiday helpers. More information about the Foundation and volunteer opportunities can be found on our website.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Farrell: Jamie Jensen has been a long-time supporter, serving first on the Open Door Foundation Board before stepping up as Board Chair in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Dan Ross, our current Board chair is another longtime supporter and previously served on the Open Door Foundation Board. Margot Pilla currently serves as our Treasurer. Nita Lowey has long been a champion for Open Door and we were honored to rename our School Based Health Centers after her in recognition of securing our initial funding and ongoing support.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Farrell: I have served as President and CEO for 25 years having been appointed to this role in 1998 when Margaret Greismer, our Founding Executive Director retired. I began with Open Door 40 years ago as a volunteer, driving community members to their appointments with my toddler in the back seat. My first paid role was as the initial Development Director for Open Door.
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Farrell: This role is a full-time, paid position.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Farrell: Tireless
Pick one:
Farrell:
| MyRye.com
Select from: |
Your Pick: |
| Coke or Pepsi? | Neither; I drink Skratch endurance hydration |
| Regular or diet? | Neither |
| Action movie or rom com? | Rom com |
| Cook, order in or eat out? | Cook |
| Dog, cat or no pet? | I’m a dog person, but I have a cat. |
| Balsamic vinaigrette or ranch? | Balsamic vinaigrette |
| Ruffles Original, Lay’s Barbeque or Funyuns? | Ruffles |
| Still, sparkling or tap? | Sparkling |
What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?
Farrell: There are so many–it’s hard to pick one. But I need to highlight my significant other/my life partner Ken Ford who makes me dinner most nights. I couldn’t maintain my schedule without him!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why, and who would you take with you?
Farrell: I love Paris; I did my Junior Year Abroad in France. I was there last month after a triathlon in Spain.
What is your favorite streaming / TV series?
Farrell: I adored Shtisel even with the sub-titles. It’s about an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family in Jerusalem. The characters were wonderful, the acting excellent and the family’s story so compelling. I learned so much about their approach to life.
What is your favorite movie?
Farrell: “What About Bob” with Bill Murray and Richard Dryfuss. It’s hilarious.
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Farrell: I live in Ossining and have lived there for 40 years. While I don’t live in Rye, I am a member of the RyeTri Triathlon Club –the Westchester Triathlon in Rye is a favorite local race.
Thanks, Lindsay!
