Primary Care
We at the STAR Health Center (SHC) want to be your medical home. This means that your primary care provider (PCP) will work with you to develop a treatment plan so that you receive comprehensive, coordinated care. All of our physicians are NYS licensed and board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases. Our nurse practitioners and physician assistants are NYS licensed with specialty training in adult care, family care or women’s health. If you need a specialist such as cardiology, oncology, or pain management, we will ensure that you are referred to excellent providers and coordinate your care.
Since its inception in 1992, the SHC has focused on providing the highest quality care. We have received quality of care awards from New York State Department of Health and the Health Resources and Services Administration. In addition, in March 2013 the SHC received designation as a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The SHC is the first ambulatory care program at SUNY to receive this prestigious distinction. For an appointment, call 718.270.3745.
Preventive Services
As part of your primary care, we will provide screening for many illnesses so that we can monitor any changes in your health. These tests also help us identify any medical problems early in the disease process so we can work with you to start the best course of treatment. Preventive care also includes the provisions of vaccinations for viruses such as the flu and hepatitis B. Below are some of the prevention services available to you at the SHC.
- Blood pressure screening
- Breast exams
- Pap tests
- Cancer screenings
- Cholesterol screening
- Depression and anxiety screening
- Diabetes screening
- Flu shots
- Nutritional counseling
- STD screening
- HIV and HCV testing
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Colonoscopy
- Family planning
- STD screening (i.e. gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia)
- Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Management of Chronic Conditions
Some conditions need to be managed on an ongoing basis. These conditions require that you good care of yourself by eating well and avoiding unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking cigarettes, drinking too much or abusing drugs. Sometimes you may need to take daily medication to keep yourself healthy. Your PCP will help you manage the following conditions:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Allergies
- Asthma
- HIV
- HCV
- Obesity
- Depression and anxiety
Acute Care Services
If you have a medical problem with a sudden onset, your PCP will help you get the care you need. Serious acute medical problems such as a heart attack, a broken hip, or kidney failure usually require treatment in an emergency room and hospitalization. Sometimes, however, you may need short-term treatment for an injury or illness that can be easily managed by your PCP in the SHC. These include common problems such as:
- Influenza
- Strep throat
- Urinary tract infections
- STI treatment
Sub-specialty Services
A full range of other sub-specialty services, including cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, dermatology, pulmonary medicine, gastroenterology and hematology/oncology are provided at University Hospital of Brooklyn (UHB) in adjacent clinics.