St. Mary Health Center Medical and Dental Clinic in Wilmington, N.C., has purchased a new building to continue seeing patients after receiving a $695,000 grant, WWAY reported Dec. 20.
Five notes:
1. The clinic has been in operation for 30 years as the city's only surgical dental clinic for low-income patients.
2. The clinic closed temporarily after a lengthy legal battle that started when the owner of its previous building, the Basilica of Saint Mary, asked the clinic to relocate so that the church could expand its Catholic school.
3. The New Hanover County Community Endowment provided the grant, allowing the clinic to purchase a building in Wilmington, N.C., to continue operations.
4. The clinic plans to finalize its acquisition in February and immediately begin renovations.
5. Laura Vinson, executive director at the clinic, added that she will consider renaming the clinic now that it is no longer under the church's ownership.