Neighborhood Healthcare in Focus on Mt. Prospect Avenue

Walking from Mt. Prospect Health Center for coffee at nearby Omar’s Café and being warmly greeted by local residents, some patients and some simply neighbors, reminds Dr. Terry McSweeney each day of why he practices chiropractic medicine in the City of Newark. “It’s an honor to provide community members with natural integrative methods to help bring the body back into balance without any unnecessary drugs, injections, invasive surgeries or invasive procedures,” he emphasized.

Born in Cork, Ireland, Dr. McSweeney still retains a distinctive accent despite starting his practice and living in Newark since 1986. His initial focus was on general and family chiropractic medicine before expanding to include acupuncture and pain management. McSweeney is joined in his practice by his wife and partner, Leila McSweeney, Dr. Frank Polverino and Sung Chul Lee, L.AC.

Dr. McSweeney, who visits and provides free treatment to Newark police officers and fire fighters at local stations, has long been involved in volunteer endeavors and efforts to advance community collaboration. He currently serves as a board member for the Mt. Prospect Partnership (MPP), a public/private partnership between the City of Newark and local business and property owners dedicated to ongoing neighborhood revitalization efforts and business development.

“Dr. McSweeney is a great example of the dynamic healthcare community that people have come to recognize and appreciate on Mt. Prospect Avenue,” noted MPP President Michael Sheehan. “Forest Hill has a long history as a center for medical and healthcare services, and that focus continues to attract a wide range of professional service providers including doctors, dentists, pharmacies, medical supply companies, physical therapy and rehabilitation services and more. It is also driving a new wave of development, including mixed-use buildings designed for medical and professional services in addition to residential units.”

Other healthcare professionals located within blocks on Mt. Prospect Avenue include Dr. Arthur Badillo, a specialist in internal medicine, Forest Hill Medical Arts Center, Forest Hill Healthcare Center, Thomas R. Ortiz, MD, FAAFP and the doctors at Forest Hill Family Health Associates, P.A., Dr. Ben Sabido (internal medicine), All City Dental Services, Newark Rehabilitation Center, North End Family Medical Care and Rives Medical Supplies.

Mt. Prospect Avenue’s history as a healthcare center in the North Ward and the ongoing changes to the local streetscape are exemplified by Liss Pharmacy, and the related Heller Pharmacy. Founded more than 75 years ago, the business is currently owned by Matt Parisi, who took over in 1974. Pharmacist Rich Mistichelli oversees operations, ably assisted by a team that features many long term employees including Mario Purro who has been working at the pharmacy for more than 25 years. Mt. Prospect Avenue is also home to Regal Pharmacy; all accept most medical insurance plans and offer bilingual consultation, in addition to a wide range of healthcare products and personal items.

The upper floor of Liss Pharmacy’s building was envisioned as work space for medical professionals. The attractive design and functionality have drawn even more healthcare specialists to Mt. Prospect Avenue that are contributing to the community. Other buildings and properties nearby are also currently under construction and being redeveloped to meet the needs of the medical and professional community, and residential demand.

Forest Hill residents benefit from the convenience of having top healthcare facilities, respected medical and dental professionals as well as first-rate pharmacies and medical supply companies nearby. That includes Mt. Prospect Avenue’s seniors, who represent a significant percentage of local residents.

Julia Ferreira is an MPP board member who serves as Assisted Housing Manager for Hillcrest Management Corp. properties in Newark’s North Ward including Ballantyne House, Forest Hill House and Wesley Towers. Ferreira said that all members of the community, in particular its many seniors and disabled-persons, benefit from easy access to quality healthcare services.

“It represents a meaningful enhancement to the everyday lives of residents of Newark’s historic North Ward, she stated. “As someone who has made a career of managing large senior and disabled-persons housing communities, I can attest to the vital difference it makes.”

“Mt. Prospect Avenue has some great restaurants and stores in addition to top healthcare providers and services,” MPP’s Michael Sheehan concluded. “With ongoing streetscape improvements, family-friendly annual events, new development activity and an emphasis on keeping our district clean, safe and welcoming, we believe the future is bright for our community as a place to live, to work, to shop and dine or to invest.”

For a directory of healthcare and medical service providers, as well as other businesses and restaurants in the Mt. Prospect business district, or for more information about programs and services provided by Mt. Prospect Partnership, visit gomtprospect.com. You can also follow news from the district at Facebook.com/gomtprospect.