Norfolk, VA (Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026) – A new community-based healthcare resource is expected to open this fall within the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) Southside communities. The Resilience Center, located within the Oakleaf Forest neighborhood, will soon offer medical care, health education and telemedicine services directly in the heart of the community.
The Oakleaf Forest Family Investment Center will be rebranded in August to provide residents of all ages good healthcare. Oasis Health Clinic, led by Dr. Kasaundra Ewing, APRN, FNP-BC is anticipated to open Sept. 1 within the Greenleaf Drive space and represents Ewing’s vision to offer accessible healthcare options amid inner city communities.
Services will not only be available for the Oakleaf Forest population, but also to Diggs Town and surrounding communities’ residents.
“This has been birthed years ago,” she said. “I’ve always had this vision, this dream to be able to provide health services.”
This opportunity became possible through Ewing’s connections with community partners like Norfolk State University (NSU), which led to participating in the Hampton Roads Blue Green Oasis program. It was there Ewing collaborated with NRHA to establish the clinic with the Authority’s property.
Julius Norman, the NRHA vice president of Client Services, explained the clinic will be a welcomed addition to services already available at the Family Investment Center.
“To have the type of medical services available through Oasis Health Clinic right here in the neighborhood is a benefit to all our residents,” Norman said. “There are already so many collaborations and mental health-based programs available in Diggs Town and Oakleaf Forest provided by Gear Recovery. So, the Southside is becoming the health oasis that we envisioned it to be.”
The clinic will center its services around three primary goals: delivering accessible medical care, connecting residents with community resources and providing evidence-based health education that empowers individuals to make informed healthcare decisions.
To accomplish that, Ewing plans to use a coordinated care model that combines traditional office visits with telemedicine services. Residents will be able to connect virtually before meeting in person, allowing for more thorough assessments and more personalized care.
Ewing’s motivation comes from more than three decades working in healthcare.
A registered nurse for 32 years, including 21 years as a family nurse practitioner, Ewing says she has witnessed too many preventable health complications caused by lack of access to timely care.
“It is so disheartening for me to see residents of my community have life-altering or negative outcomes from something that could be prevented,” she said.
Ewing pointed to common challenges such as unmanaged diabetes, hypertension and stroke risk – conditions that can often be addressed through early intervention, routine monitoring and trusted healthcare guidance.
One of the clinic’s greatest strengths will be its location. According to Ewing, the Norfolk Southside area lacks easily accessible healthcare options, creating barriers for residents who may not have reliable transportation or the time needed to travel to distant providers. By bringing services directly within the neighborhood, Oasis Health Clinic aims to remove those obstacles.
“I think being able to have access to a medical provider is pivotal,” she said. “Health is such a key component to our quality of life.”
The telemedicine component is expected to further increase accessibility – particularly for residents who need quick guidance or have difficulty leaving home. Both telemedicine and in-person services will be available as soon as the clinic opens.
Beyond providing healthcare services, Ewing hopes the clinic will become a trusted neighborhood resource.
“My goal for the clinic is to serve as a trusted connection and bridge—a place where community members feel comfortable coming with their questions, concerns, and healthcare needs,” she said.
For more information about this story contact lbyrd@nrha.us.
About Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority: Founded in 1940, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) is Virginia’s largest redevelopment and housing authority and a nationwide leader in real estate development and property management. With its annual capital and operating budget, NRHA continually works with Norfolk residents to renew and revitalize the city. For the latest information about NRHA, visit our website at https://nrha.us.