Welcome To Betances Health Center



	Have a question about our service or our website? Betances is always willing to answer all of your health related questions, you can send an e-mail to info@betances.org or visit our contact us page

Contact Us:

280 Henry Street

New York, NY 10002

Tel: 212-227-8401

Fax: 212-227-8842




Betances' proven organizational ability builds on 35 years of experience in serving the unique needs of the Lower East Side's diverse and underserved population. Our staff excels at meeting the medical needs of that population. Accountability with regard to local community needs and concerns is upheld through a high level of participation in the Lower East Side consortia and others working to improve health delivery in similar populations. Betances' staff participate as members in numerous citywide and national organizations: The Community Health Care Association of New York State, The National Association of Community Health Centers, The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, The Hispanic Federation, and the New York AIDS Coalition.
Our Founder
Paul Ramos (1941-2000) was a staunch advocate of affordable health care and social justice. As founder and Executive Director of Betances Health Center, Paul worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of the Lower East Side - and beyond - to meet the desperate need for accessible quality health care and social services. Paul founded Betances in 1970, and initially ran the agency out of a makeshift office above a pickle factory, delivering health services from a mobile medical unit. Largely through Paul's determination and hard work, Betances found a permanent home on Henry Street in the Lower East Side, one of New York City's most diverse immigrant communities, where it has become one of the leading comprehensive primary care facilities serving poor and disenfranchised community members. Paul guided Betances' accomplishments and status as an early provider of "culturally competent, holistic" care long before the terms became buzzwords. Over the center's three decade history, many came to see Paul as a modern day incarnation of the agency's namesake, Ramon Emeterio Betances, a 19th century Puerto Rican physician and poet known as the "Father of the Poor", who received a medical degree in Europe and then returned to Puerto Rico to found a hospital, defend the island against a cholera epidemic, and fight against slavery.

Our staff includes board certified physicians, as well as physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Additionally, we have certified social workers and counselors and a registered dietitian.
Santos Rivera, Jr., DSW, Executive Director


Betances Clincial Staff

Teresa Cuadra, MD Medical Director	John Ruiz, MD Assoc. Medical Director	Maria Cellario, MD Asst Director, Pediatrics	Hong Ye, MD Family Practice
Weinstein, MD Director, HIV Services	Pamela Roberts, MD Podiatrist	Ximena Matamala, MD OB/GYN	Terry Scotland-Caraballo, MD Family Practice
Lizette Feliciano Registered Nurse	Leslie Turner Nurse Practitioner	Elizabeth Woodford Nurse Practitioner	Varda Souverian Licensed Practical Nurse
Phong Thai, MD Podiatrist	Dennis Peng, DDS Dentist	Leon Lopez, MD Psychiatrist	Mariya Tsinis, MD Physiatrist
Bina Berkovich, PA-C Physician Assistant	Binu Thomas Physicial Therapist	Dina Goodwin Nutritionist	Jamiliah Hoy-Rosas, RD Nutritionist
Anthony Vera Licensed Certified Social Worker	Julia Andino Licensed Certified Social Worker	Yuliya Giyaur, MD Opthalmologist