National Health Center Week (August 6 – 12) 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.
Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities. In moments of pain and loss, they offer support and love. In moments of triumph, they offer hope and a vision for the future. Let’s come together this week to celebrate the roles Community Health Centers have played in both our recent moments of loss and triumph. This National Health Center Week honors those front line providers, staff, and beloved patients who lost their lives during the (ongoing) COVID-19 pandemic. From the very beginning of the crisis, Community Health Centers began finding innovative ways to provide preventative and primary care to their patients.
COLORADO SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL PROCLAIMS THIS WEEK AS PEAK VISTA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS WEEK
We are excited to share that the Colorado Springs City Council made an official Proclamation, recognizing this week, August 6-12, 2023 as Peak Vista Community Health Centers Week!
The Proclamation, sealed and signed by Colorado Springs City Council President, Randy Helms, states:
Be it resolved by the Colorado Springs City Council, concurring herein:
You can view the full Proclamation here!
Follow Peak Vista's National Health Center Week Activities:
Dr. Emily Ptaszek, President & CEO
Hear from Dr. Emily Ptaszek, Peak Vista's President & CEO, on National Health Center Week and the importance of community health across the country in her opinion piece recently published in the Colorado Springs Gazette! (Click here to read on Peak Vista's website).
CHCs know that good health isn’t limited to discussions and care in the exam room. It starts at the home, in the community, with social determinants of health such as transportation, food access, and other environmental factors. Public Health in Housing Day focuses on providing residents of public housing increased access to primary care a disease prevention services.
CHCs serve nearly 1.3 million individuals experiencing homelessness each year. Those experiencing homelessness endure higher rates of disease and behavioral health conditions which can lead to health complications. Last year, Peak Vista served 1,164 patients experiencing homelessness while opening our Health Center Downtown, which provides care to members of the public, including those experiencing homelessness.
Click Here to Learn How Peak Vista Serves This Population, and What We're Doing Today to Help!
Health centers serve more than one million migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, which is about 20% of the estimated U.S. total. Outside of a significant agriculutral worker population, Peak Vista serves a significant rural population. We have four health centers that reach our rural neighbors: the Health Centers at Divide, Strasburg, and Limon, as well as the Dental Center at Flagler.
Click Here to Learn How Peak Vista Serves our Rural Patients in the Eastern Plains Regions!
In 2021, community health centers served more than 30 million patients. CHCs represent the largest primary care providers in the country and serve 1 in 11 people. This includes 1 in 9 children and adolescents, 1 in 7 racial and ethnic minorities, and 1 in 3 people in poverty. Last year, Peak Vista served 81,000+ patients, almost 1,100 patients per day – each with their own stories, life experiences, and health concerns.
Click Here to Learn About the Patients Who Receive Care with CHCs!
Building support for CHCs is important at all levels of government, though, including state and local governments. Today is the day that we recognize and celebrate the legislative advocates of the CHC movement, as well as the community partners who support our mission to provide exceptional health to people facing access barriers through clinical programs and education.
Click Here to Learn More About the History of CHC's and the Importance of Our Stakeholders!
CHCs have more than 270,000 staff members and volunteers across the country, including the 800+ of us here at Peak Vista. CHC staff are committed to the mission to provide high quality care to everyone, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. This workforce generates nearly $63 billion in economic activity – an amazing number!
Click Here to Learn More about the Importance of CHC Staff and How We Appreciate Them!
CHCs provide care to more than 8.6 million children in the United States. Peak Vista served over 29,000 pediatric patients in 2022 and delivered over 1,000 babies. We know that children’s health doesn’t start stop in the exam room, and we offer several wrap-around programs to support them, including the First Visitor program, Well-Child Waiting Areas, and the 0-3 Program.
