By JIMMY LAWTON

LISBON -- Ogdensburg hospital officials are hoping to open the Lisbon Health Center soon, but are awaiting approval from the Department of Health.

The hospital had hoped to open the center last week, but plans were delayed as officials await the final paperwork.

While no official date has been set, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center spokeswoman Laura Shea said the clinic will reopen as soon as DOH allows.

Located at the Al Winney Medical Building, County Route 10 in the hamlet, the clinic has been a mainstay in the town for decades. It was announced in June that the clinic would shut down after Nurse Practitioner Ernie Couglar, who was running the clinic, said the business was unable to get adequate reimbursements from insurance companies due to its lack of bargaining power.

Shea said the clinic will be staffed by Alesha Pederson, a physician assistant with local roots. Pederson, formerly Alesha Akins, is a Lisbon native and graduate of the local school district.

Existing patients of the clinic will continue to have their records on file, but have the option to transfer them to another provider if they choose.

Once final approval comes from the DOH, the center will be open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm. Pederson has been serving as the provider at the Madrid Health Center. With her move to the Lisbon Health Center, Nurse Practitioner Nikita Goliber will take over the practice in Madrid.

The Madrid Health Center hours will remain the same.

The Lisbon clinic was dedicated to Alan J. Winney who served as the provider there from 1977 to 2013. Shea said CHMC intended to honor his legacy.