'OnMed CareStation' at The Village in Hartford provides patients cost-free and effective care

The Village in Hartford creates healthcare access for the community. It now features the 'OnMed CareStation,' which provides cost-free care to patients.

Alexa Farrell

HARTFORD, Conn. — Between costly bills and actual offices, getting to the doctor can be a real problem for residents in Hartford.

That's where the new 'OnMed CareStation' comes in. It’s located in The Village for easy access for all of Greater Hartford.

Debra Hayes, the chief integration officer at Hartford Healthcare, said, “We bring quality affordable healthcare service into underserved communities."

Hector Glynn, the president and CEO of The Village, admits the technological part can be a bit of a challenge.

"The hardest thing is introducing something new to the community technology is intimidating, "Glynn said.

Hayes says this center is easy to use and very thorough.

"The good thing about the station is it is equipped with high tech diagnostic tools, which enables the provider to conduct an assessment on the patient as if they are in the room with them."

FOX61 got a firsthand look at how it works.

‍

You walk in and, once you start the session, the glass frosts over for privacy. Then, there is a scale you step on to get your weight, and an arm cuff and heat camera to get an idea of what's going on inside your body. Plus, from the ceiling drops down a camera and a stethoscope for care, as if the provider is in the room. Also, there is no need to worry about the germs someone else left behind; spray, air filtration and UV lights keep the station cleaner than more healthcare settings.

So, whether you have a cold, a rash, respiratory infections, or even COVID-19, you can come in and be out in about 15-20 minutes.

"When you take a look at the health disparities of cities like Hartford, you start to see that the age of mortality [and] the life expectancy are much lower than surrounding communities," Glynn said.

When problems are small and manageable is when Hector Glynn of The Village hopes people come in.

"Hopefully, people know more about it, and they aren’t too intimidated about technology," he said." We will be able to start to change the curve of those health disparities and life disparities."

‍