National Health Center Week 2024: powering communities through caring connections

This week, August 4-10, we’re celebrating National Health Center Week! Federally qualified health centers (FQHC) and FQHC lookalikes like Evergreen Health provide quality health care and supportive services to communities that have historically fallen through the cracks of the health care system. The mission of health centers like us is to ensure that everyone has access to health and wellness, regardless of where they live, their insurance status or their ability to pay.

Community health centers like Evergreen serve 1 in 10 people in Western New York: out of those, 19% are uninsured, 62% are publicly insured, 90% are living with a low income, 63% are members of minoritized racial or ethnic groups, and 32% live in rural communities.

Community health centers reach beyond the exam room to not only prevent illness but address the social drivers that may cause it, like homelessness, substance use, food insecurity and behavioral health concerns. That’s why the theme of National Health Center Week 2024 is “powering communities through caring connections.”

We’re proud that on top of providing unconditionally accessible primary and specialty care for the whole family, we also support our community with services that address these social determinants of health, like food pantry, substance use services, harm reduction services, financial counseling, housing support, mental health care and more.

Our chief operating officer, Mike Lee, says, “Evergreen Health is proud to serve over 25,000 patients with medical, supportive and behavioral services in an environment that’s unconditionally inclusive, compassionate, respectful and judgement-free. Federally qualified health centers across Western New York provide underserved communities with access to necessary care, and our unique model treats the whole patient to improve health outcomes and empower patients to lead healthier, happier lives.”

Learn more about what it means to be an FQHC and Evergreen’s history as an FQHC lookalike

Celebrate National Health Center Week with us!

National Health Center Week isn’t just about celebrating health centers – it’s also about celebrating the patients we’re privileged to serve and collaborate with.

Did you know that over 50% of Evergreen Health board members are patients who live in the communities we serve? This ensures that our patients guide us in how we can serve them best.

To thank our patients for entrusting us with their care, we’re tabling in the lobby of each of our locations throughout this week. Stop by to get some patient appreciation swag, learn about our services, and register to vote!

August 5: 206 S. Elmwood Ave (Buffalo)

August 6: 320 Prather Ave (Jamestown)

August 7: 800 Hertel Ave (Buffalo)

August 8: 7 Community Dr (Cheektowaga)

August 9: Community Access Services, 3297 Bailey Ave (Buffalo)

We’re also partnering with EDDY (Early Detection Driven to You) to provide lung cancer screenings on August 6, 7 and 8, across the street from the main entrance of our 206 S. Elmwood location.

If you’re 50-80 years old and are currently smoking or a former smoker, contact your provider to talk about eligibility and a referral or stop by the EDDY mobile screening truck from 8am to 4pm to learn more.

We’re accepting new primary care patients at all Evergreen Health locations – call us at 716.847.2441 (press option 5) or fill our new patient request form to get started.