DOH Leon Observes National Health Center Week  

August 10, 2022

Florida Department of Health in Leon County Observes National Health Center Week

Local Community Health Centers Offer Free Services in Observance of NHCW

Tallahassee, Fla.--- National Health Center Week (NHCW) is an annual celebration to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America's health centers over the past five decades. The Florida Department of Health in Leon County recognizes the dedicated community health center staff, board members, and patients and their vital role in shaping the past, present, and future of Leon County’s health care system.

This year National Health Center Week is August 7 – 13, 2021 with the theme of “Community Health Centers: The Chemistry for Strong Communities.”

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. For over 50 years, community health centers have provided high-quality, affordable, comprehensive primary, and preventive health care.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), also known as community health centers, are non-profit, community-directed providers that remove common barriers to care by serving communities who confront financial, geographic, language, and cultural barriers.  For over 50 years, health centers have worked to build community-focused systems of care that address physical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy needs, as well as the social drivers that impact overall health.

Here in Leon County, we are proud to partner with two FQHCs:  Bond Community Health Center, and Neighborhood Health Center in Tallahassee.

Health centers improve patient outcomes, and are located in areas of higher need, often where there is elevated poverty, higher than average infant mortality, and where few physicians practice. They may offer comprehensive services based on needs, such as medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and pharmacy, as well as assisting patients access care, with transportation and translation. Centers are open to all persons regardless of location, age, gender, sexual orientation, race, insurance status or ability to pay. They offer sliding fee scale options to low-income patients.

The following events are scheduled to celebrate National Health Center Week in Leon County:

Neighborhood Health Center

Time Saver Convenience Store

Friday, August 12 (12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

519 W. Brevard Street

Tallahassee, FL  32301

* Free HIV testing, Hep C, and STI screening (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis)

Bond Community Health Center

Health and Wellness Fair

Saturday, August 13 (11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Jack McLean Park

700 Paul Russell Road

Tallahassee, FL  32301

*Health Screenings, Quest Diagnostics, Education and Resource Tables, Music, Free Food, Haircuts, Door Prizes

DOH Leon strongly supports our Community Health Centers because we know they are not ordinary medical clinics; they are also problem-solvers who reach beyond the exam room to care for the whole person by providing access to necessities like food and housing resources. Community Health Centers care for and welcome everyone. The Department proudly celebrates the vital role these health centers play in safeguarding the well-being of all our residents and honor the heroic staff who keep these facilities running.

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