FoundCare CEO updates Riviera Beach Health initiative and construction progress

Riviera Beach is set to enhance its healthcare services significantly with the nearing completion of the FoundCare Health Center, a project aimed at addressing critical health disparities in the community. During the recent Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting on April 9, 2025, Chris Azeri, CEO of FoundCare, provided an update on the facility, which is located at 3501 Broadway.

The new health center will span 20,000 square feet, with 15,000 square feet dedicated to essential healthcare services, including adult medicine, pediatrics, women's health, psychiatry, and pharmacy services. This initiative is particularly vital for the local population, where nearly 50% are considered low-income, and health indicators such as life expectancy and infant mortality rates reveal significant disparities compared to the rest of Palm Beach County.

Since launching a mobile health unit in May 2023, FoundCare has treated over 1,000 patients, with 32% of those visits coming from the Riviera Beach area. The new center aims to provide more accessible healthcare options, reducing the need for residents to travel to distant facilities.

The project, which began construction in March 2024, is nearing completion with a total budget of approximately $12 million. This includes contributions from FoundCare and private foundations, as well as a significant land donation from the city valued at around $4 million. The facility is expected to open soon, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony anticipated in the near future.

In addition to healthcare services, the center will also feature space for business incubation, which is part of the CRA's broader strategy to stimulate economic development in the area. The CRA is currently working on redesigning this space to ensure compliance with safety and accessibility standards.

As the community awaits the opening of the FoundCare Health Center, local leaders express optimism about its potential to improve health outcomes and provide much-needed services to Riviera Beach residents.