Dozens of local students and residents, community leaders and elected officials last week attended the groundbreaking ceremony in  downtown Phoenix for the new Mary Rose Wilcox Center for Health Care and Innovation.

The facility will provide health care services to low-income and uninsured or underinsured patients and families.

“Health care is one of the most urgent needs in underserved communities today, particularly in Central and South Phoenix,” Mary Rose Wilcox, the former Phoenix City Council member and Maricopa County Supervisor for whom the health center is named, stated in a news release. “At a time of growing need, the new healthcare center in the Grant Park neighborhood will benefit thousands of families for generations to come. I am both honored and grateful to be a part of this important project.”

The project is a partnership between the non-profit organizations Wesley Community & Health Centers and Friendly House.

Officials from the city of Phoenix and Wesley Community & Health Centers break ground on the Mary Rose Wilcox Center for Health Care and Innovation on Friday, Nov. 7. (Courtesy Phoenix City Council District 8 Office)

“Access to health care can be life changing for low income and uninsured Arizonans,” stated Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs in the release. “I applaud Wesley for stepping up to train the next generation of health care professionals and deliver comprehensive care to some of the most vulnerable people in our state with the new Mary Rose Wilcox Center – appropriately named for someone who has dedicated her life to lifting up vulnerable Arizonans.”

Upon completion, the health center will total 40,000 square feet and comprise a full suite of medical services, including primary care exam rooms; specialty and behavioral care; imaging; a retail pharmacy; community teaching and educational space; and more.

“Wesley and Friendly House are embarking on a truly visionary project,” stated Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “We are fortunate to have partners who are passionate about the community and focused on expanding affordable housing and affordable health care for our most vulnerable seniors and families.”

The health center will replace an existing Wesley-run facility, which the community has outgrown.

“This new facility will serve as a southern gateway into downtown Phoenix,” stated Wesley CEO Blaine Bandi. “It will catalyze the synergies of two premier non-profit agencies, downtown universities and businesses, the light rail expansion and a vibrant community. It will also greatly expand our patient capacity, the services available to the community and the learning opportunities for the next generation of health care healers.”

The new facility will be open and accessible to all, strategically located along the Central Phoenix light rail line.

Wesley serves an estimated 7,000 patients annually via its network of fixed health centers and mobile units. The Mary Rose Wilcox Center for Health Care and Innovation is expected to open in fall 2026, enabling Wesley to double the number of patients the group serves each year.

A $26 million fundraising campaign is underway to help pay for the health center. Friendly House President & CEO Avein Saaty-Tafoya said the organization looks forward to partnering with Wesley on this vital community project.

Approximately 60% of Wesley’s patients are uninsured.

“Mary Rose Wilcox’s remarkable career has always been about helping people, often in times of greatest need, so it is only fitting that this new center is named after her,” stated Lia Christiansen, Chief Administrative Officer for Valleywise Health.

Editor’s note: The above was republished from a Wesley Community & Health Centers news release.