The week of August 7 – 13 is dedicated to celebrating the work of the 1,300 health centers in the United States that provide care in 9,000 sites to 24 million patients (Health Resources and Services Administration). La Comunidad Hispana (LCH), southern Chester County’s own community health center to over 5,500 residents, joined the celebration for the first time this year.

“We were really excited to be a part of the national celebration”, said Alisa Jones, President and CEO of LCH.  “National Health Center Week is an opportunity to come together and celebrate all of the work that we do.  The impact we make at LCH is felt nationwide when you think about the mission that we all share.  Community health centers provide a safety net for thousands of people without any other access to health care, keeping them healthy, ensuring that they have a true medical home, and preventing nonessential emergency room visits.”

LCH provided daily activities in their waiting room, and with shared National Health Center Week information and resources through their Facebook page.  “With over 1,500 users actively following our sites, we saw this social media campaign as an opportunity to really connect with our members during National Health Center Week”, said Laura Mackiewicz, Community Engagement Manager.  “The theme of this year’s celebration is Innovators in Community Health,
and I think it was a great fit to focus on using technology to get the word out about health.”  All of LCH’s posts are in English and Spanish.  To follow LCH’s page, go to www.facebook.com/LaComunidadHispana.LifeChangesHere.

Waiting room activities included: (1) writing thank you notes to LCH providers and staff; (2) coloring “I Heart My Health Center” posters; (3) participating in beach ball toss health quizzes with prizes, and (4) signing a giant letter of support for community health centers that will be sent to local politicians.  Jones commented that the work of community health centers is truly mission driven, and it takes staff with strong sense of compassion and dedication to provide care to the under-served.  “National Health Center Week was an opportunity to reflect on our achievements as a health center, and to celebrate the role of the community health center as an integral part of our national wellness.  It was a very fun week!” she said.

Learn more about activities nationwide by visiting www.healthcenterweek.com.