The outside of the new health center. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)

The former Rite Aid building at 6201 Germantown Ave. (closed in May 2024) is getting a new life. ArchWell Health has begun seeing patients there and is preparing for a grand opening this week.

ArchWell Health, a national company, offers community-focused primary care for people over 60 and is “a kind of one-stop shop for wellness and prevention,” says Dr. Doron Schneider, Philadelphia Market Medical Director.

He says the staff practices team-based care and caps each doctor’s panel at 500 patients, though the average is usually 1,200 to 2,500. “That allows us to build relationships with people,” he explains.

A robust team of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, managers, nutritionists, social workers, pharmacists, care navigators, and others enables the practice to meet most patients’ needs.

ArchWell seeks to not only enhance the physical and mental well-being of our older neighbors but also their social well-being. To do so, members get access to chair yoga, bingo, and other social activities, as offered.

These activities ensure connectivity between neighbors and keep their minds sharp, according to Schneider.

The center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It accepts Medicare Advantage plans, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna/HealthSpring, Humana, and Devoted.

Of ArchWell’s 87 centers nationwide, eight are currently operating in Philadelphia, with additional locations set to open around the city throughout the year.

When asked why ArchWell expanded into the city, Schneider says they focus on neighborhoods that lack sufficient primary care access.

Combined with the reality that many residents travel outside the neighborhood for primary care, he notes, there are more than enough people aged 60 and older within a few miles of the center to warrant the new site.

On the broader trend of repurposing shuttered Rite Aid locations across the city, Schneider told GIH that ArchWell looks for sites with a strong footprint and adequate space.

The health center seeks to immerse itself within the Germantown community, with a grand opening being the first gesture. The celebration happens this Thursday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It includes food, prizes & giveaways, tours, and music, including local band, The Intruders.

Schneider says ArchWell hopes to serve as a convener, inviting community groups to use the space for a variety of events.

“We want people to see us as a resource — to hold their meetings in our beautiful activity center,” he says.

Neighbors 60 and older who are interested in ArchWell’s services can learn more by contacting the center directly at (215) 623-1021, going online, or visiting the Germantown location.

Rasheed Z. Ajamu is Germantown Info Hub‘s engagement reporter. Their work blends service journalism with a place-based lens, tracking how local policy, development, arts + culture, and neighborhood institutions shape neighbors’ everyday lives. They’re also invested in community archiving and public media projects that help neighbors preserve and share Germantown stories.