This week is National Health Center Week. National Health Center Week is an annual celebration with the goal of raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers over the past five decades. Before 2012, the Health Department was doing what they refer to as “core services” like inspecting restaurants, water, and sanitation services. Administrator and CEO Michele Gabriel says the community saw a need for healthcare services for an individual. “In 2000, the community identified the need for accessible healthcare services,” Gabriel said. “The plan was to apply for and receive a Section 330 funded federally qualified health center. It provides health care services, dental health services, mental health services – pretty much anything an individual could need for primary healthcare under one roof.” The goal of the National Health Center week each year is to raise awareness of everything a Health Center has to offer. The theme this year is America’s Health Centers: Rooted in Communities. COO Amy Anderson says as the need for affordable primary care continues to grow, health centers nationally serve 28 million patients.
