August 6-12, 2023, we celebrated National Health Center Week (NHCW). It is a week honoring the hard work of health centers (HC) across the country. HRSA’s Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) staff excitedly participated in regional festivities. IEA Regional Administrators (RA) and staff visited over 50 health centers in 25 states and territories. They celebrated the incredible work of HCs providing care in underserved communities. HRSA staff met with health center staff, leaders, and patients while touring health centers. They congratulated new FY 2023 Early Childhood Development (ECD) award recipients. HRSA and health center employees shared moments of staff appreciation, ribbon cutting, and other community events.
Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center (Nashua, NH)
IEA joined congressional and city leaders to commemorate the positive impact community health centers have in New Hampshire. Applauding their consistent positive patient healthcare outcomes and recognizing their invaluable contributions.
HRSA IEA Region 1 RA Jeffrey Beard, Congresswoman Annie Kuster, Henry Ochs President and CEO of New Hampshire Harbor Care and Wellness Center, Senator Maggie Hassan, HRSA IEA Region 1 Deputy RA CAPT Christopher Bersani, and HHS IEA Regional Director Region 1 Everett Handford
Lamoille Health Partners (Morrissville, VT)
IEA’s Danielle Fleury visited Lamoille Health Partners in Morrissville, Vermont. Lamoille is a recipient of HRSA’s FY 2023 Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Award. IEA staff thanked Lamoille's front line rural health providers for their efforts. Lamoille Health Partners staff talked about priorities with HRSA staff. They discussed rural health access and building the next generation workforce.
HRSA’s Danielle Fleury with staff at Lamoille Health Partners in Morrissville, VT
Manet Health Center (Attleboro, MA)
IEA’s Veronica Roa and Matt Salaga attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. They celebrated Manet Health Center’s new Attleboro, MA site. Sharing this moment was health center leadership, MA state reps, and the Mayor of Attleboro.
Ribbon cutting at new Attleboro site with Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Mayor Cathleen DeSimone, Region 1 HHS Regional Director Everett Handford, HRSA IEA Region 1 Matthew Salaga, Manet Health Center President and CEO Cynthia Sierra, and HC leadership
StayWell Health Center (Waterbury, CT)
IEA’s Matthew Salaga visited StayWell Health Center. StayWell Health Center is in Waterbury, CT. HRSA staff learned about StayWell's maternal and child health services. They also discussed their primary care and behavioral health services. The day’s NHCW theme was Healthcare for People Experiencing Homelessness. StayWell shared their work providing care to people experiencing homelessness.
StayWell Health Center CEO Don Thompson and HRSA IEA Region 1 PHA Matthew Salaga in front of a dental health suite at StayWell Health Center in Waterbury, CT
Thundermist Health Center of Woonsocket (Woonsocket, RI)
IEA’s RA Jeff Beard and Deputy RA CAPT Chris Bersani visited Thundermist Health Center. Thundermist Health Center is in Woonsocket, RI. They celebrated NHCW and the health center’s recent HRSA funding. HRSA’s Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program will help them train more family medicine physicians.
Left to Right: Matthew Roman, Chief Operations Officer; Dr. Cara Zimmerman; Elizabeth Lynch, Director of Behavioral Health and Social Services; CAPT Christopher Bersani, HRSA IEA Region 1 Deputy RA; Jeanne LaChance, Chief Executive Officer; Jeffrey Beard, HRSA IEA RA; Amanda Barney, Chief of Staff; Chetna Chandrakala, Chief Financial Officer
CAMCare (Camden, NJ)
IEA’s Dr. Tanya Pagan Raggio-Ashley joined CAMCare for their behavioral health roundtable in Camden, NJ. There, they discussed Medicaid renewals, homelessness, behavioral health, and public safety issues faced by the community.
Nashon Hornsby, Assistant Commissioner, NJ Department of Health, Dennis Gonzalez, Acting Regional Director HHS Region 2, Jillian Hudspeth, CEO CAMCare, and Dr. Tanya Pagan Raggio-Ashley, Senior Medical Officer, HRSA IEA Region 2
Community Health Center of Richmond (Staten Island, NY)
IEA’s Sockna Cisse attended the community health fair at the Community Health Center of Richmond on Staten Island, NY.
Left to Right: HHS Office of the Secretary Region 2 Acting Regional Director Dennis Gonzalez, Henry Thompson, Community Health Center of Richmond CEO, and Sockna Cisse, Public Health Analyst, HRSA IEA Region 2
Corporación de Servicios de Salud y Medicina Avanzada, COSSMA (Aibonito, PR)
Cheryl Donald, Dr. Madeline Rossy, and Melanie Deal visited the COSSMA clinic in Aibonito, PR. It was the opening ceremony of its new clinical laboratory alongside the Mayor of Aibonito William Alicea. Together, they toured the recently built aquatic therapy treatment center. It is the only facility on the island with a specialized water wheelchair.
Physical Therapist Yolanda Santos, COSSMA Medical Director Dr. Juan Pérez, COSSMA Executive Director Norma Antomattei, HRSA IEA RA Cheryl Donald, PR PCA Executive Director Darielys Cordero, HRSA IEA Region 2 Dr. Madeline Rossy, HRSA IEA Region 2 Public Health Analyst Melanie Deal at the Aquatic Therapist Center
Corporación de Servicios de Salud y Medicina Avanzada, COSSMA (San Lorenzo, PR)
IEA’s Madeline Rossy joined Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico Secretary of Health, the Mayor of San Lorenzo, and health center staff on a tour of Corporación de Servicios de Salud y Medicina Avanzada. Their new state-of-the-art clinic in San Lorenzo, PR opened last year. The facility had to rebuild due to damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Dr. Madeline Rossy, Public Health Advisor, HRSA Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Region 2, Puerto Rico Sub-Regional Office; Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi; Norma Antomattei, COSSMA, Executive Director; Dr. Rosalie Candelario, Quality Medical Director, COSSMA and Dr. Iris Grau, COSSMA provider
Department of Health 2023 NHCW Proclamation (San Juan, PR)
IEA’s RA Cheryl Donald and Madeline Rossy joined the Puerto Rico Primary Care Association and the Puerto Rico Department of Health. The Puerto Rico Secretary of Health, Dr. Carlos Mellado read the 2023 NHCW White House proclamation. During the observance, Cheryl Donald emphasized the incredible work of HRSA-funded health centers. She highlighted the quality primary care services provided across Puerto Rico.
Dr. Felix Rodríguez Schmidt, Undersecretary of Health, Darielys Cordero, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Primary Health Association (ASPPR in Spanish), Gladys Rivera, President ASPPR Board of Directors, Dr. Carlos Mellado, Secretary of Health, Puerto Rico Department of Health, HRSA IEA Region 2 Cheryl Donald, RA and Dr. Madeline Rossy, Public Health Advisor
Frederiksted Health Care, Inc. (St. Croix US Virgin Islands)
IEA’s RA Cheryl Donald spoke at Frederiksted Health Care, Inc.’s annual Stakeholder Appreciation Reception. They congregated at their North Shore Health Center location. Other speakers included the U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Hon. Stacey Plaskett and various territorial health officials. Approximately 100 stakeholders, partners, and health center staff attended the event.
Hon. Stacey Plaskett, USVI Delegate to United States House of Representatives; Senator Diane Caphart of the USVI Legislature; Cheryl Donald, HRSA RA; Masserae Webster, CEO Frederiksted Health Care, Inc
Healthpro Med (Santurce, PR)
Madeline Rossy and Melanie Deal, with HRSA IEA’s Puerto Rico Sub-Regional Office toured Healthpro Med’s facility in Santurce, PR. They joined health center staff and patients at a health fair to promote primary and preventive care services. The fair included health screenings, medication adherence, and behavioral health services.
Dr. Jorge Vázquez, Healthpro Med Medical Director; Dr. Héctor Villanueva, Healthpro Med Medical Advisor, Melanie Deal, Public Health Analyst, HRSA Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Region 2, Puerto Rico Sub-Regional Office, Ivonne I. Rivera Hernández, Healthpro Med Executive Director; Madeline Rossy, Public Health Advisor, HRSA Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Region 2, Puerto Rico Sub-Regional Office
Metropolitan Health Center, Alliance Health Center, and Newark Community Health Center (3 sites) (NJ)
IEA Region 2 and Headquarters staff celebrated with Metropolitan Health Center and Alliance Health Center at their community fairs in Jersey City, NJ. They also visited and toured Newark Community Health Center at Ferry Street in Newark, NJ.
HRSA Region 2 Senior Medical Officer, Dr. Tanya Pagan Raggio-Ashley providing remarks at the Alliance Community Health Center NHCW community event in Lincoln Park Family Fair and Picnic Jersey City
Migrant Health Center, Inc. (Mayagüez, Puerto Rico)
IEA’s Dr. Madeline Rossy and Melanie Deal visited Migrant Health Center, Inc.’s Litoral Clinic in Mayagüez, PR. The HC provides much-needed health care services for people experiencing homelessness in Western Puerto Ric. Services include food, access to showers, integrated primary care, behavioral health and substance use disorder services, and HIV care. Migrant Health Center, Inc. is also one of four health centers in Puerto Rico that received FY 2023 ECD funding.
Melanie Deal and Migrant Health Center, Inc.’s Litoral Clinic staff in Mayagüez, PR
Ocean Health Initiatives (Toms River, NJ)
IEA’s RA Cheryl Donald and Senior Medical Officer Dr. Tanya Raggio attended the New Jersey Primary Care Association NHCW Kickoff event. The event was at Ocean Health Initiatives in Toms River, NJ. The event included a community fair where RA Donald provided remarks.
HRSA IEA RA Cheryl Donald providing remarks
St Thomas Medical Center Corp (St. Thomas, USVI)
IEA’s RA Cheryl Donald visited St. Thomas Medical Center Corp in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This was her last stop on her tour of health centers in the Caribbean area. She toured the facility and learned about the health center’s collaboration with the University of Virgin Islands. The partnership works to promote nutritional benefits of home gardening to health center patients and the community at large.
HRSA Overview presentation to CFO Steven Mayers, Interim CEO Dr Tess Richards, and Health Center staff
Sun River Health (Peekskill, NY)
IEA’s Deputy RA CAPT Chandak Ghosh and Sockna Cisse visited Sun River Health to celebrate NHCW.
CAPT Chandak Ghosh, HRSA IEA Region 2 Deputy RA (3rd from left), and Sockna Cisse, HRSA IEA Public Health Analyst (4th from left), join Allison DuBois, Sun River Health COO and the Sun River leadership team
Union Community Health Center (Bronx, NY)
IEA’s Senior Medical Officer Dr. Tanya Pagan Raggio-Ashley visited Union Community Health Center in the Bronx, NY. Their Community Fair had hundreds in attendance. More than two dozen vendors provided food, plants, books, and information. Vendors shared information about Medicaid, veterans services, childcare, housing, and emergency preparedness. Dr. Raggio-Ashley also announced that Union Community Health Center received an FY 2023 ECD award from HRSA during the event.
John DeCavalho, Government Affairs Union HC, Dennis Gonzalez, Acting Regional Director HHS Region 2, and Dr. Tanya Pagan Raggio-Ashley, Senior Medical Officer, HRSA IEA Region 2 in front of the Union Dental Van, Bronx New York
Chase Brexton – Mt. Vernon Site (Baltimore, MD)
IEA’s Rhonda Jackson visited Chase Brexton Health Center’s Mt. Vernon site in Baltimore, MD. There they discussed the health center’s long history and integral role in the Baltimore community. Brexton began as a volunteer-run gay men’s health clinic 1978. Later, becoming a federally qualified health center in 1999, with expertise in LGBTQ+ health care and HIV care. Chase Brexton is also an FY 2023 ECD award recipient.
Pictured Left to Right: Alexa Milanytch, Director of Development; Rhonda Jackson, HRSA IEA; Patrick Mutch, President and CEO; Becky Frank, Chief Marketing and Development Officer
Cornerstone Care (Washington, PA)
Cornerstone Care hosted a community celebration and ribbon-cutting for their new building in Washington, PA. It is an expanded site that will provide pediatric services as well as dental and optometry. HRSA IEA RA Leah Suter provided opening remarks and joined the event alongside health center staff, board members, and elected officials.
Cornerstone ribbon cutting ceremony attended by center staff, leadership, board members, Leah Suter, RA, HRSA IEA Region 3, Rich Rinehart, CEO of Cornerstone, State Representative Tim O’Neal, Mitchel Henderson, Southwest PA Regional Representative attending on behalf of U.S. Senator Fetterman, Jarrett Niecgorski, Field Representative attending on behalf of U.S. Congressman Guy Reschenthaler
Hamilton Health Center (Harrisburg, PA
IEA’s Leah Suter joined HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson at Hamilton Health Center in Harrisburg, PA. Here the Administrator announced $30 million in funding to 151 HRSA-funded health centers to improve developmental outcomes among children ages 0-5 through increased screenings and follow-up services.
LCH Health and Community Services (Kennett Square, PA)
IEA’s Chris Woolslayer visited LCH Health and Community Services in Kennett Square, PA to celebrate 50 years of providing health care services to the community. The event included a community celebration at the new Kennett Square Library. Here local partners showcased their work and services offered to a diverse community.
Pictured Left to Right: Ruby Guzman, Patient Service Representative; Shantal Benitez, Patient Service Representative; Chris Woolslayer, HRSA IEA Region 3; Ronan Gannon, Chief Executive Office; Monica Mata-Lopez, Outreach Program Coordinator; Kate Wickersham, Director of Development
Primary Health Network (3 sites) (PA)
IEA’s RA Leah Suter visited Primary Health Network’s Oil City, Titusville, and Erie, PA sites. The event included “Leadership Rounds” at health center sites in Oil City and Titusville, PA. Then, a tour of the health center in Erie, PA.
Primary Health Network (PHN) Erie with Dr. George Garrow, PHN CEO, Tina Adamson, PHN VP of Human Resources, Sara Rupp, PHN Director of Marketing and Communication, Jess Hughes, CEO of MHEDS (Multi-Cultural Health Evaluation Delivery System), HRSA-funded health center, and Nick Cianci, Development Officer Hamot Health Foundation
Valley Health (Huntington, WV)
Deputy RA Rob McKenna visited Valley Health in Huntington, WV. They provide primary care services to patients in southern West Virginia, southeastern Ohio, and eastern Kentucky. He toured the facility and met with health center staff.
Touring the x-ray room, Mathew Weimer, Chief Medical Officer & Robert McKenna, Deputy RA, HRSA
Westside Family Healthcare (Dover, DE)
RA Leah Suter visited Westside Family Healthcare in Dover, Delaware to recognize Agricultural Worker Day during NHCW. Westside held a ribbon-cutting for their newly renovated mobile health unit. The unit travels to local farms and agricultural worksites in southern rural Delaware to provide health care services to seasonal agricultural workers. The Dover site also offers a community refrigerator stocked with local produce donated by local farms.
Ribbon cutting event attendees included Chris Fraser, President & CEO of Westside Family Healthcare, health center leadership and staff, Leah Suter, HRSA Region 3 RA, Delaware State Representative Kerri Evelyn Harris, Delaware State Representative William Bush, Todd Graham, President of Highmark Health Options
Central North Alabama Health Services, Thrive Alabama, and HAPPI Health (Huntsville, AL)
IEA’s Kerian Thomas provided opening remarks at a Community Fun & Wellness Festival hosted by three of North Alabama’s community health centers. The health centers were HAPPI Health, Thrive Alabama, and Central North Alabama Health Services, Inc. In addition to a petting zoo, food trucks, and music, the event featured free health screenings, HIV testing, and COVID-19 vaccinations for over 500 attendees.
Left to Right: Paola Rios (Central North Alabama Health Services Director of Public Relations and Marketing), Sharon Parker (Alabama Primary Health Care Association Chief Quality Officer), Mary Elizabeth Marr (Thrive Alabama CEO), Dr. Angelique Andrews (HAPPI Health Chief Medical Officer), Lauren Ousley (Alabama Primary Health Care Association Chief of Staff), Kerian Thomas (HRSA IEA Region 4 Public Health Analyst) during the Community Fun & Wellness Festival
MedCura, Inc. (Stone Mountain, GA)
HRSA IEA Region 4 Priya Shah celebrated National Health Center Week with MedCura, Inc. in Stone Mountain, GA. Pictured is the National Health Center Proclamation presented by the Dekalb County Board of Commissioners.
Left to Right: Priya Shah, Public Health Analyst; Charmaine Willis, Director of Nursing; Dr. Raulniña Uzzle, Chief Medical Officer; Jeff Taylor, Chief Executive Officer
Saint Joseph’s/Mercy Care Services, Inc. (Atlanta, GA)
IEA’s RA Natalie Brevard Perry, Deputy RA Colleen McCarty, and HRSA’s Chief Dental Officer Adam Barefoot joined HHS Chief of Staff Sean McCluskie at St. Joseph's/Mercy Care Services in Atlanta, GA. There they held an HHS Healthcare Community Conversation about Medicaid redetermination, the Inflation Reduction Act, and increasing access to health care.
St. Joseph's/Mercy Care Services speaking with HHS Chief of Staff Sean McCluskie during tour of the facility
Central Counties Health Centers (Springfield, IL)
Sharyl Trail and Curtizia Alexander joined health center staff, state and local officials, Board members, and health center supporters for the Central Counties Health Center open house and tour of the Main Clinic. They met staff and learned more about the health center’s community partnerships and primary, dental, and behavioral health services provided to the community. This event was the first open house held by Central Counties Health Centers post-COVID.
From left to right: Angel MacGibbon, Chief Financial Officer; Donna Reeves, Director of Community Engagement; CDR Sharyl Trail, HRSA IEA Region 5 RA; Heather Burton, Chief Executive Officer; Curtizia Alexander, HRSA IEA Region 5 Public Health Analyst
Lakeshore Community Health Care (Sheboygan, WI)
IEA’s CAPT Antonio Vargas visited Lakeshore Community Health Care to commemorate their Staff Appreciation Day alongside Wisconsin State Representative Amy Binsfeld. He toured the health center’s Sheboygan and Manitowoc clinics and mobile dental clinic, The mobile clinic can also be used for vaccine administration. Health center staff highlighted their success with school-based mental health services, a pharmacy home delivery program, and an in-house training program for dental assistants.
Left to right: CAPT Antonio Vargas, Senior Public Health Analyst, HRSA IEA Region 5; Wisconsin State Representative Amy Binsfeld; Kristin Stearns, CEO, Lakeshore Community Health Care; Staff appreciation day tour of Lakeshore Community Health Care mobile dental clinic in Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Sangamon County Health Department / Southern Illinois University Center for Family Medicine (Springfield, IL)
IEA’s CDR Sharyl Trail and Curtizia Alexander toured the Southern Illinois University Center for Family Medicine in Springfield, IL. They celebrated the health center’s work in improving outcomes for their child and adolescent population.
Erin Jones, Program Director, CDR Sharyl Trail, HRSA IEA Region 5 IEA RA, Curtizia Alexander, HRSA Region 5 IEA Public Health Analyst, Christina Smith, Director of FQHC Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Ashley Bone, Program Coordinator
CentroMed (aka El Centro del Barrio) (San Antonio, TX)
Steven Richards visited CentroMed (aka El Centro del Barrio) to celebrate NHCW and congratulate them on their recent FY 2023 ECD award.
From left to right: Ms. Ana Maria Garza Cortez, VP & CDO; Dr. Norma G. Parra, VP & CMO; Steven Richards, HRSA IEA Region; and Dr. Anna Serrano, VP & Chief Population Health Officer posing for a photo in front of CentroMed’s Southside Medical campus after a tour of the facility
Community Health Connection - Ellen Ochoa Clinic (Tulsa, OK)
IEA’s LCDR Amy Eden met with leadership at the Community Health Connection-Ellen Ochoa Clinic in Tulsa, OK. The clinic provides medical, laboratory, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services to the community.
Janet Ramiriz, Front Desk & Call Center Supervisor, Patient Access Staff, Kory Burr, Marketing/HIV Coordinator, LCDR Amy Eden, Public Health Analyst, HRSA IEA Region 6
Community Health Connection - Kendall Whittier Clinic (Tulsa, OK)
LCDR Amy Eden met with leadership at the Community Health Connection-Kendall Whittier Clinic in downtown Tulsa, OK.
Teen Clinic: Jane Rice, Compliance Officer, Amy Eden, Public Health Analyst
ECO Family Health Center, Behavioral Health Services - Henryetta, OK
LCDR Amy Eden visited ECO Family Health Center, Behavioral Health Services in Henryetta, OK. The clinic provides counseling and therapy to adults, children, couples, and families in Henryetta and the surrounding rural communities.
Michael Burnside, LPC/LADC describing the Parent Child Interaction Therapy services
ECO Family Health Center (Henryetta, OK)
LCDR Amy Eden visited ECO Family Health Center in Henryetta, OK. The clinic provides primary health care for all ages and many other services. Some additional services include diagnostic testing, screenings, laboratory, digital X-Ray, EKG, dental, and other preventive services.
Tabitha Yandell, Billing and Coding Supervisor/Office Manager, Brittany Snelson, Receptionist, LCDR Amy Eden, Public Health Analyst, Ashley Cummings, LPN and Dana Reed, CCO/COO
CommuniCare (aka Barrio Comprehensive Family Health Care Center) (San Antonio, TX)
Steven Richards visited CommuniCare (aka Barrio Comprehensive Family Health Care Center) in San Antonio, TX. Paul Nguyen, President and Chief Executive Officer, and other health center leadership hosted Steven. They discussed the health center’s unique approaches to primary care delivery and community partnerships. These efforts intend to expand access to children with complex medical needs.
CommUnityCare aka Travis County Healthcare District (Austin, TX)
IEA’s Steven Richards visited CommUnityCare (aka Travis County Healthcare District) in Austin, TX. There he toured the health center’s new Chalmers Courts location. They discussed the health center’s new opportunities to provide primary care and dental care to those living in public housing and the surrounding community.
Clarity Healthcare (Quincy, IL)
Deputy RA Rae Hutchison attended a community stakeholder appreciation luncheon and community awards presentation at Clarity Healthcare in Quincy, IL. The event celebrated the health center’s unique relationship with community partners. Partners include the Quincy Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Adams County Probation Department, and area school districts.
Clarity Health Center’s Stakeholder Appreciation Luncheon in Quincy, IL. Awards were given to celebrate community partnerships to support health center patients. The Adams County Probation Department received the Community Heroes Award from Clarity
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Inc. (Pittsburg, KS)
RA Nancy Rios spoke at the Pittsburg State University and Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas’s press event. Here they announced a new partnership to expand students' access to medical care, medications, and mental health services on campus and throughout the region. Rios spoke to more than 100 school health professionals during their 6th annual School Health Conference. Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas received FY 2023 ECD Program funding.
HRSA IEA RA Nancy Rios speaking at 6th annual School Health Conference. Pictured (L to R): CHC/SEK President and Chief Strategy Officer Jason Wesco, HHS Regional Director Joseph Palm, and HRSA IEA RA Nancy Rios
Family Care Health Centers (Kansas City, KS)
RA Nancy Rios provided remarks at a NHCW kickoff event at Family Care Health Centers. The event focused on the health center’s integrated healthcare model and its impact on community members, including those experiencing homelessness. The HHS Regional Director, board members, elected officials, and local health leaders also joined the event.
Pictured (L to R): HHS Regional Director Joseph Palm, Rudy Nickens, Missouri Senator Doug Beck, Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer, Missouri Senator Brian Williams, Missouri State Representative Jo Doll, HRSA IEA RA Nancy Rios, FCHC CEO Dr. Aramide Ayorinde, Missouri Senator Tracy McCreery, and St Louis Health Commissioner Victoria Anwuri
Great Mines Health Center (Potosi, MO)
IEA’s RA Nancy Rios and Kim Shiu joined Great Mines Health Center staff in Potosi, MO for their Spirit Week. Monday’s theme was “Music Monday,” where staff were encouraged to wear a band t-shirt. Board members and staff then shared ice cream together during a staff appreciation ice cream social.
Pictured (L to R): Hannah Coffey, David James, CEO Greg Roeback, Board members Sarah Moran and Sara Bays, HRSA IEA RA Nancy Rios, HRSA IEA Public Health Analyst Kim Shiu, Board President T.R. Dudley
Northeast Missouri Health Council (Kirksville, MO)
IEA’s Deputy RA Rae Hutchison and Myesha Kennedy visited the Northeast Missouri Health Council in Kirksville, MO. They toured the health center’s pediatric, OB/GYN, and dental clinics and met staff and providers.
Pictured (L to R): Rae Hutchison, HRSA IEA Region 7 Deputy RA; Myesha Kennedy, HRSA IEA Region 7 Public Health Analyst; Amy Baumgartner, Northeast Missouri Health Council Chief Operating Officer; Kieley Truitt, RN, Pediatric Clinic Manager; Bailey Daniels, LPN; and Bobette Nzuzi Luvitu, Interpreter
Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (Kansas City, MO)
IEA’s Kim Shiu attended Samuel Rodgers Health Center’s staff appreciation event in Kansas City, MO. Throughout the week, the health center hosted an ice cream giveaway, a health fair, and a Back-to-School event for community members.
Pictured (L to R): Natalie Moore, Pat Beatty, CEO Bob Theis, Shannon Highfill, Cheri Herron-Frazier, and HRSA IEA Public Health Analyst Kim Shiu
Vibrant Health Care (Kansas City, KS)
Kim Shiu attended Vibrant Health’s Open House for their Family Health Care Clinic in Kansas City, KS. HRSA toured the health center alongside health center leadership, board members, providers, and area foundation representatives.
Pictured (L to R): Vice President of Special Projects, Brandi Finocchario, HRSA IEA Public Health Analyst Kim Shiu, and Director of Development Ann Van Zee
Clinica Family Health (Lafayette, CO)
IEA’s RA Nick Zucconi attended a food distribution event at Clinica Family Health’s Lafayette, CO clinic. The event was hosted in partnership with Community Food Share. 300 residents of Boulder and Broomfield Counties picked up boxes of produce, meat, non-perishables, and other goods at the free pop-up pantry event.
HRSA IEA Region 8 RA Nick Zucconi, Regional Director Lily Griego, and Health Center CEO Simon Smith handing out food
Ole Health (Napa, CA)
RA Valerie Gallo visited Ole Health’s mobile van, which sets up weekly at the Napa Farmworker Center. The Center provides outreach, education, and medical services for migrant and seasonal agricultural workers. Ole Health provides health services to farmworkers in their health centers and in the community through their Mobile Health program. Since its launch, the Mobile Health van has provided care to nearly half of the individuals living in Napa’s farm worker housing.
Pictured is Richard Hurtado, Community Outreach Manager, standing in Ole Health’s mobile van
Peach Tree Healthcare (Sacramento, CA)
Deputy RA Brie Colangelo toured Peach Tree Health in Sacramento, CA. Here she learned about the health center’s primary health care services and efforts to increase access to behavioral health, PrEP, and dental services for underserved populations. She also congratulated PeachTree Health on their recent FY 2023 ECD award. The health center plans to use the award to improve developmental outcomes among children ages 0-5 through increased screenings and follow-up services.
Welcome sign in PeachTree Healthcare’s lobby area
Santa Rosa Community Health (Santa Rosa, CA)
RA Valerie Gallo and HHS Regional Director Jeff Reynoso visited Santa Rosa Community Health’s Vista Campus site, which burned down in the 2017 Tubbs Fire. CEO Gabriela Bernal Leroi highlighted the health center’s new facilities, which were rebuilt within 18 months and now serve over 20,000 patients.
Pictured is Regional Director, Jeff Reynoso and Valerie Gallo, HRSA IEA Region 9 RA, with a Lucy Statue dedicated to Charles Schultz, a prominent donor to the Santa Rosa Health Center
WellSpace Health (Sacramento, CA)
IEA’s Acting Deputy RA Brie Colangelo met with health center leadership and staff while touring three sites at WellSpace Health in Sacramento, CA. First she toured their transition care center which focuses on patients and clients experiencing homelessness. Second, their future wellness campus center that is expected to open in the next two years. Lastly, their South Valley Community Health Center to learn more about their comprehensive and integrated behavioral health services.
Pictured is WellSpace South Valley Community Health Center Staff with IEA Region 9 Acting Deputy RA Brie Colangelo
Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center (Anchorage, AK)
HRSA IEA Region 10 and Alaska Primary Care Association visited Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center in Anchorage, AK where they toured the health center and saw firsthand their expansive services to provide access to quality health care for the community.
From Left to Right: Nancy Merriman, Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Primary Care Association; Lisa Aquino, Chief Executive Officer, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center; Gloria Laryea, Public Health Analyst, HRSA IEA Region 10; and Aphrodyi Antoine, Acting RA/Deputy RA, HRSA IEA Region 10
Girdwood Health Clinic (Girdwood, AK)
IEA’s Acting RA Aphrodyi Antoine and Gloria Laryea joined the Alaska Primary Care Association at Girdwood Health Clinic in Girdwood, AK. There, the health center showcased how they've incorporated patient advocates and community health workers to address social determinants of health for their patients.
In Photo (from L to R): Gloria Laryea, Public Health Analyst, HRSA IEA Region 10; Tawny Buck, Chief Executive Officer, Girdwood Health Clinic; Nancy Merriman, Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Primary Care Association; and Aphrodyi Antoine, Acting RA/Deputy RA, HRSA IEA Region 10
HealthPoint Midway (Des Moines, WA)
IEA’s Gloria Andia and Cheryl Altice visited HealthPoint Midway Clinic in Des Moines, WA. They attended the health fair for refugee patients and those experiencing homelessness. Staff provided meals, health care services, and hygiene supplies for the community. The health center provided clinic tours promoting their medical, dental, and pharmacy services.
![[Left to Right]: Harry Franqui, HealthPoint Midway Business Director; Gloria Andia, Public Health Analyst; Yesenia Morales, HealthPoint Midway Patient Access Supervisor; Antonia Reyna-Mendoza, HealthPoint Midway Client Service Representative; and Cheryl Altice, Public Health Analyst.](/sites/default/files/bphc/initiatives/health-center-week-story-53.jpg)
[Left to Right]: Harry Franqui, HealthPoint Midway Business Director; Gloria Andia, Public Health Analyst; Yesenia Morales, HealthPoint Midway Patient Access Supervisor; Antonia Reyna-Mendoza, HealthPoint Midway Client Service Representative; and Cheryl Altice, Public Health Analyst
Valley View Health Center, Chehalis Clinic (Chehalis, WA)
IEA’s Gloria Andia and Cheryl Altice visited Valley View Health Center for their staff appreciation lunch. The lunch hosted 80 employees in Chehalis, WA. The health center serves Washingtonians across its 13 locations.
Valley View Health Center Staff with HRSA IEA Region 10 staff at a staff appreciation lunch
Yakima Neighborhood Health Services (Yakima, WA)
Cheryl Altice and Gloria Andia attended the Yakima Neighborhood Health Services Health Fair in Yakima, WA. The fair brought together 20 community partners and welcomed 100 attendees. The health fair featured a tooth decay-fighting water dunk, booths sharing information on primary care, colorectal cancer screening, infant health awareness, health information about mpox, and resources for the LGBTQ+ community.
YNHS Dental Team with Brett Miller, DDS, Chief Dental Officer