Salisbury, MD – It took more than 100 years and a renewed dedication to a Salisbury neighborhood for the vision of a 19th century physician to finally become reality. Today, the circle closed when TidalHealth cut the ribbon to dedicate the Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic, the Salisbury, Md. based health system’s newest primary care practice, located at 805 E. Church St.
The long-anticipated ribbon cutting celebrates not only the completion of the clinic but also the beginning of a new era of accessible, community-based healthcare for Salisbury’s east side. Local leaders, donors, healthcare professionals, and community members gathered today to mark this historic moment that officially launches this vital healthcare hub for thousands of residents.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Wilgus family to the TidalHealth Foundation, the clinic now stands on the property once occupied by the Hotel Esther — a site with a rich and significant healthcare history in Salisbury. The new Wilgus Community Clinic serves as a beacon of care, reconnecting a historically underserved neighborhood with critical medical services.
“Community health requires community effort. The clinic and proposed services hold promise to improve the health of our community by addressing gaps such as limited public transportation and access to primary care,” said Monica Brooks President, Wicomico County NAACP. “We look forward to supporting TidalHealth as they increase efforts to ensure access to the fundamental right of health for all.”
Staffed by TidalHealth’s experienced primary and specialty care providers, the clinic is designed to serve as a center of care for residents challenged by social determinants of health. The Wilgus Clinic aims to bridge the gap between healthcare and the community, stimulate local development, and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits.
It is also home base for TidalHealth’s resident physicians specializing in internal medicine and is expected to handle between 12,000 and 15,000 patient visits annually.
“TidalHealth is committed to offering accessible, affordable, high-quality medical care for adult patients with a team of experienced and compassionate providers who are dedicated to understanding the unique healthcare needs of our east side community neighbors,” said Steve Leonard, Ph.D., MBA, FACHE, President/CEO of TidalHealth. “The Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic extends our promise to bring healthcare, leadership, mentoring, and medical stability to the front doors of those who need it most but have the greatest challenges obtaining it.”
In addition to full primary care services for adults, the clinic offers telehealth, behavioral health services, lab draws, and preventive screenings. Patients also have access to nutritional counseling, diabetes education, financial guidance, and community support groups.
In support, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provided a $1 million revitalization program award grant from the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund.
“Every Maryland family deserves convenient access to healthcare, especially those with limited means and mobility. Building on several years of public and private investment in the neighborhood, TidalHealth’s Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic marks a tremendous victory for a neighborhood that had long been neglected,” said DHCD Secretary Jake Day, a former Mayor of Salisbury. “This grant is one piece of the puzzle and a reminder that Maryland’s Moore-Miller Administration and DHCD won’t leave any neighborhood behind.”
The clinic’s site — a 1.8-acre parcel — holds deep historical significance. More than 130 years ago, it was purchased by Dr. Robert Naylor, a British physician who dreamed of bringing hospital care to Salisbury. Though Dr. Naylor passed before realizing that goal, today’s ribbon cutting fulfills his vision.
From private home, to hotel, to the first location of the John B. Parsons Home for the Aged, the property has served many purposes over the years — but with the opening of the Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic, it returns to its roots in healthcare.
The ribbon cutting is also an integral component of TidalHealth Foundation’s “SPARK” campaign — a $5 million initiative to support graduate medical education (GME) across the health system, including the Wilgus Community Clinic. TidalHealth’s GME program aims to attract outstanding resident physicians, provide them with a place to train, and ultimately encourage them to plant roots and serve the community long term.
“We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality healthcare services, regardless of their background or economic status, and philanthropy is the spark that accelerates this project,” said Jessica Hales, President of the TidalHealth Foundation. “Our team is grateful to the Wilgus family and excited to be a part of the east side community where we are making a positive impact on the overarching health and lives of residents.”
To donate in support of graduate medical education and the future of medicine in our region, visit tidalhealth.org/foundation or call the TidalHealth Foundation at 410-543-7140.
