Posted In Graduate Medical Education Program on January 13, 2025
TidalHealth is excited to announce that the Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic, located on the historic grounds of the Hotel Esther at 805 E. Church St. in Salisbury, is on track to open its doors with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony tentatively planned for August 2025.
This state-of-the-art primary care clinic will not only provide vital health services to a historically underserved community but will also carry forward the property's legacy of healthcare innovation.
“The facility itself reflects the neighborhood with its architectural style recreating the glory of the former building that had its roots in medical care over 100 years ago, said Palmer Gillis, founder of Gillis Gilkerson, the construction management firm building the clinic. “Remnants of the former building will be blended in with the new clinic to pay homage to its historical past.”
The new clinic is housed on a 1.8-acre parcel of land with a rich history in Salisbury’s healthcare evolution. More than 130 years ago, the property was intended to serve as Salisbury’s first hospital, a vision that was never fully realized. In the 1890s, Dr. Robert Naylor, a British physician, purchased the land with plans to build a hospital for the community, but he passed away before that dream could come to fruition.
Over time, the property was repurposed, including serving as the first location for the John B. Parsons Home for the Aged, before being transformed into the Hotel Esther in the 1940s.
Now, the legacy of healthcare on this land will be renewed with the TidalHealth Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic. Made possible by a generous donation from the Wilgus family to the TidalHealth Foundation, this new facility will serve as a crucial health resource for the east side of Salisbury, a neighborhood historically impacted by social determinants of health.
The clinic will be staffed by TidalHealth’s experienced primary and specialty care providers, offering essential healthcare services for adult patients aged 18 and over. These services will include telehealth, behavioral health, lab draws, preventative screenings, nutritional counseling, diabetes education, financial counseling, and a variety of support groups.
Additionally, the clinic will serve as a base for TidalHealth’s resident physicians specializing in internal medicine and is expected to handle 12,000 to 15,000 visits annually. Four of those residents, who have already completed their training at TidalHealth, have chosen to remain in the area to provide medical care.
“TidalHealth is committed to expanding access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, especially for those who have been historically marginalized,” said Steve Leonard, Ph.D., MBA, FACHE, President/CEO of TidalHealth. “The TidalHealth Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic will be a beacon of hope for our east side neighbors, offering vital care and helping bridge the gap between the community and the healthcare resources they need most.”
The site’s location is significant not only for its historical value but also for its importance in the revitalization of the neighborhood. By reintroducing healthcare services to the property, TidalHealth aims to stimulate residential development and reduce reliance on emergency departments for general medical care. This new clinic will foster connections between residents and healthcare providers, creating long-term health benefits for the community.
This ribbon cutting will also mark a significant milestone for the TidalHealth Foundation’s “SPARK” campaign, which aims to raise $5 million to support the resources needed for establishing a Graduate Medical Education program at TidalHealth, further enhancing the clinic’s mission. Co-chaired by Dr. Julius Zant, Bryan LeCompte, and Dr. Kurt Wehberg, the SPARK campaign will help provide funding to continue training future physicians who can bring their expertise and compassion to the local community.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Wilgus family and the many supporters of the SPARK campaign,” said Jessica Hales, President of the TidalHealth Foundation. “This campaign will help ensure that the TidalHealth Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic continues to have a profound impact on the health of our residents and that we inspire the next generation of healthcare leaders to invest in this community.”
The clinic’s grand opening, targeted for August, will celebrate both the rich history and bright future of healthcare in Salisbury.
As part of the renovation process, TidalHealth has carefully preserved bricks from the old structure. Community members may purchase a personalized brick that will become a part of the community clinic’s garden. To purchase a brick, visit our SPARK campaign web page or contact the TidalHealth Foundation at 410-543-7140.
