Friday, August 16, 2013

Virginia’s Governor Robert McDonnell issued a proclamation declaring August 11-17 Health Center Week


The week long campaign (August 11-17) raises awareness about the mission and accomplishments of Virginia’s Health Centers as local solutions for affordable and accessible health care.

A Community Health Center (CHC) is a non-profit primary health care organization located in a medically underserved area which includes rural, urban and suburban communities throughout Virginia. The mission of a Community Health Center is to provide comprehensive primary healthcare to anyone seeking care. Community Health Center services are available to everyone – all community residents have equal access regardless of ability to pay, employment status, insurance status, geographic location/residence, culture, age, sex, or religion.

For nearly 50 years, Virginia’s Community Health Centers have compiled a significant record of success in providing access to primary care for our Commonwealth’s citizens, a large percentage of whom are among the poorest and sickest members of our communities.

Virginia’s 27 Health Centers, operating more than 120 Health Center Service Sites:

  • Are at the core of our health system and the Commonwealth’s Safety Net delivering high quality and cost-effective primary care
  • Serve more than 300,000 patients. These are our family members, friends and neighbors who would otherwise not have access to healthcare.
  • Log over 1 Million patient encounters annually.
  • Provide 1,600 local jobs.
  • Bring to Virginia $71 Million in outside grants and non-patient revenue.
  • Generate $180 Million in total economic output for Virginia.


“We are very proud of our Governor for recognizing our Community Health Centers’ tireless commitment to the health and well-being of the people of Virginia, as well as the positive economic impact they make upon the communities they serve. By issue of proclamation, Governor McDonnell has called upon all citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia to join us in the observance of Health Center Week,” said Neal Graham, CEO of Virginia Community Healthcare Association.

The Virginia Community Healthcare Association is a nonprofit, state association for Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Healthcare for the Homeless programs and similar organizations. The organization also provides recruiting and retention of healthcare practitioners (physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) for its member organizations.


To view a copy of the proclamation, visit the Governor's website:  http://www.governor.virginia.gov/OurCommonwealth/Proclamations/

To find the nearest Virginia Community Health Center, please see the Virginia Community Healthcare Association website: http://vacommunityhealth.org/aboutus/member-map/

To view a list of Health Center Week Activities, please visit the National Health Center Week website: http://www.healthcenterweek.org/

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