Expanding Access to Urgent Women’s Health Care in Rural Sullivan County
South Fallsburg, NY (July 6th, 2025) – Sullivan County consistently ranks among New York’s most medically underserved regions, with limited access to timely maternal and reproductive healthcare. Nationally, 9% of rural U.S. counties have lost all hospital obstetric services, leaving many women without same-day care for urgent needs.
Care4Her was developed to bridge this gap, providing a safe, walk-in option for women experiencing acute OB/GYN issues that cannot wait for a scheduled appointment. The program is not a substitute for primary OB care or routine visits but offers immediate help for concerns such as sudden pregnancy-related symptoms, abnormal bleeding, or other urgent gynecologic conditions.
Dr. Silber, who also leads RefuahHealth’s high-risk pregnancy program, noted that bringing advanced OB/GYN services like Care4Her to South Fallsburg ensures that local women have timely access to the same level of expert care found in larger medical centers, but close to home. She underscored that Care4Her was designed to complement—not replace—ongoing prenatal and primary OB care. If a patient requires follow-up with a specialist or ongoing care after their urgent visit, RefuahHealth will coordinate those services as part of its comprehensive care network.
Outside of Care4Her hours, RefuahHealth patients continue to have access to on-call physicians for urgent questions and to its 24/7 emergency care partnerships for true emergencies.
Community Applauds Refuah’s Leadership
Local health officials and community leaders have lauded the Care4Her initiative as a much-needed resource for Sullivan County and the surrounding region. According to RefuahHealth, many women delay care or resort to emergency departments for urgent but non-life-threatening OB/GYN issues due to limited same-day options. Care4Her aims to alleviate that burden by providing a reliable, specialized walk-in alternative, one of the first of its kind in the area.
“RefuahHealth continues to set the gold standard for what community healthcare should look like—personal, responsive, and rooted in dignity. The launch of Care4Her in South Fallsburg isn’t just a new program—it’s a statement that every woman deserves access to comprehensive, compassionate care close to home,” said Sullivan County Legislator Terry Bernardo, who joined Refuah leaders for the ribbon cutting.
“RefuahHealth continues to be a valued partner in ensuring access to care for the families of Fallsburg. The Care4Her program reflects our shared commitment to addressing healthcare disparities and improving quality of life for women in our town,” added Fallsburg Town Supervisor Mike Bensimon.
Sullivan County Legislator Terry Bernardo (left) and RefuahHealth CEO Chanie Sternberg (right) at the Care4Her Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at the RefuahHealth South Fallsburg site.
Building on Success: A Trusted Model of Care
The Care4Her model was successfully introduced at Refuah’s Rockland County location, where women have responded positively to having access to urgent walk-in OB/GYN services without needing an appointment. With the opening of Care4Her in South Fallsburg, RefuahHealth furthers its commitment to innovative solutions that improve access to care for underserved populations.
RefuahHealth has operated in Sullivan County since 2011 and has served New York’s Lower Hudson Valley for nearly 30 years, providing care to over 86,000 patients annually. The organization remains committed to removing barriers to care and ensuring that every community member—regardless of ability to pay—has access to high-quality, compassionate healthcare.