Ribbon Cutting: Upstate Family Health Center

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Upstate Family Health Center, Inc. (UFHC) will join the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, elected officials, community leaders and guests for a ribbon-cutting celebration on Monday, November 2, at 3:00 p.m. at its Utica health center.

 The celebration marks a new chapter for UFHC following several years of significant challenge, change and rebuilding. The health center will unveil new exterior signage featuring its new logo — a visible symbol of a broader transformation taking place throughout the organization. 

Today, UFHC is growing, expanding services and providing something increasingly difficult to find in the region: timely access to primary care.

 UFHC is one of the few primary care practices in the area currently accepting new patients, with new-patient appointments generally available in less than two weeks. The organization now has nine medical providers — three physicians and six nurse practitioners — and is seeing growing interest from health care professionals seeking out UFHC as a place of employment. 

UFHC has also expanded its services with the launch of a new Women’s Health program, led by a female provider, providing women in the community with another accessible option for care. The health center is also working toward adding Nutrition Services in late 2026 or early 2027.

 The transformation extends to the patient experience. UFHC recently renovated its reception and waiting areas, creating a more modern, comfortable and welcoming environment for patients and their families. 

“Our new logo is not the story — it is a symbol of the story,” said Andreea Mera, Chief Executive Officer of Upstate Family Health Center. “It represents a health center that has been through some very difficult years, made difficult decisions, rebuilt itself and is now moving forward with renewed strength and optimism. We are accepting new patients, providers are seeking us out as a place to work, we are expanding our services, and we are continuing to invest in the experience of the patients we serve.” 

For Mera, the ability to provide timely access to primary care is among the accomplishments worth celebrating. 

“People in our community are struggling to find primary care providers accepting new patients. We want them to know that our doors are open,” Mera said. “In most cases, we can welcome a new patient into our practice in less than two weeks. After everything this organization has been through, it is incredibly rewarding to be in a position where we are not simply looking back at how far we have come — we are excited about where we are going.

” The ribbon cutting also celebrates UFHC’s new membership in the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce and its commitment to strengthening relationships with businesses, community organizations and leaders throughout the Greater Utica region.