National Health Center Week ‘24

As we conclude National Health Center Week (NHCW), we look back on the significance of this celebration during an important milestone: our 30th anniversary at Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS). This year’s theme, "Powering Communities Through Caring Connections," captures the mission of Community Health Centers across the nation.

Community Health Centers, also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers, are critical to ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality, affordable health care.

These centers serve nearly 31.5 million people annually, providing comprehensive services that include medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy care, regardless of a person’s ability to pay.

Community Health Centers are the largest primary care network in the country, reaching nearly 1 in 10 Americans, with 90% of those served living at or below 200% of the poverty line.

At WNCCHS, we’re proud to be part of this vital network of 1,400 Community Health Centers. Founded in 1993 by community activists, our vision is a healthy, thriving Western North Carolina. We provide essential health care services to over 13,000 individuals in the region, many of whom face significant barriers to accessing care. Our sliding fee scale ensures that high-quality care is affordable for all family sizes and incomes. Beyond primary care, our comprehensive services — including behavioral health, dental care, and support for social determinants of health — address the whole person, making us a vital resource in our region. Learn more about our Impact.

This week, we took time to celebrate the staff who make our mission possible. On Monday, we kicked off the week with a nod to our founding year, with staff dressing in their best 1990s attire. Tuesday brought a sweet treat with an ice cream social, delivered by senior leadership to all our sites. On Wednesday, staff embraced Wacky Wednesday with colorful and quirky outfits. Thursday should have culminated in our Community Health Fair, which was unfortunately postponed due to Tropical Storm Debby — though staff still enjoyed a casual Jean Day. We wrapped up the week on Friday with WNCCHS Pride Day, where staff wore their WNCCHS apparel, and HR delivered Candy Grams to show appreciation. Giveaways and raffles also took place during the week.

As we conclude NHCW, we’re reminded of the powerful impact that caring connections can have in our communities. We at WNCCHS look forward to continuing our mission of providing compassionate, comprehensive care to those who need it most, just as we have for the past 30 years.