A Vital Investment in Community Health

Montgomery County officials, healthcare leaders, and members of the local community gathered to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the new Dennis Avenue Health Center—a milestone that marks a significant investment in the public health infrastructure of Silver Spring and the broader Montgomery County region.

Designed to replace the aging existing facility, the new health center is being developed in direct response to the growing demand for modern, flexible clinic and office space to support a wide range of essential public health services. As Montgomery County continues to grow and diversify, so too must the systems that protect and promote the well-being of its residents.

A New Home for Critical Public Health Programs

The Dennis Avenue Health Center will consolidate and modernize a spectrum of vital services under one roof, enhancing the County’s ability to respond to both everyday health needs and large-scale public health challenges. When complete, the facility will serve as a hub for:

• Communicable Disease & Epidemiology
• Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Immunization and Disease Control Programs
• HIV Services and STD Clinics
• Tuberculosis (TB) Control

With state-of-the-art clinical environments, upgraded infection control protocols, and integrated administrative and diagnostic spaces, the new center will be designed to improve operational efficiency while delivering compassionate, confidential, and high-quality care to every patient.

A Collaboration Rooted in Community-Centered Design

The project is being realized through a collaboration between Wilmot Sanz and Grimm + Parker Architects, combining nationally recognized healthcare design expertise with award-winning civic architecture focused on community well-being.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to designing public facilities that go beyond functionality—spaces that are welcoming, accessible, and rooted in the communities they serve. Through thoughtful architecture and evidence-based design, the new health center aims to foster dignity, equity, and trust in public healthcare delivery.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett spoke to the importance of the project, noting:

“I am pleased we are beginning construction on this vital facility. This is the first new health facility we have built in more than 20 years, and the services provided at the Center are critical public health programs that protect the health of all Montgomery County residents.”

The new Dennis Avenue Health Center represents more than just bricks and mortar—it represents a promise to the community. A promise to provide responsive, equitable care. A promise to strengthen the county’s capacity for disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency response. And a promise to create a healthier future for all residents, regardless of circumstance.