DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC) celebrates National Health Center Week this week by hosting several events throughout metro New Orleans. National Community Health Center Week, sponsored by the National Association of Community Health Centers, is an annual celebration which raises awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers.
Community Health Centers – The Chemistry for Strong Communities serves as the theme for this year’s commemoration, which honors those frontline providers, staff, and 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.
Nationwide, community health centers lower health care costs by more than $24 billion annually, reduce rates of chronic diseases, and stimulate local economies.
DCHC operates 11 health centers in both Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. Michael G. Griffin, PhD, president and CEO of DCHC, believes that the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically demonstrates the importance of health centers.
“We proudly provide healthcare services to underserved communities, who are often forgotten, especially during trying times like these. Thanks to the various partnerships we’ve formed and generous support from several entities, DePaul ensures that our patients continue to receive much-needed healthcare, including COVID-19 virus vaccines and testing, HIV testing and treatment, and more. Some of our planned activities for National Health Center Week are made possible by organizations and partners that believe in our mission,” said Griffin.
DCHC kicked off the week at a school supply giveaway at 327 Treme. On Monday, DCHC will focused on healthcare for the homeless by distributing gift bags. DCHC’s will celebrate its patients by giving away water bottles at each of its 11 health centers today, Aug. 10.
Staff Appreciation Day happens Aug. 11, followed by a food pantry giveaway event for Agricultural Worker Health Day on Aug. 12 at 3201 Short Street, beginning at 9 a.m. Another back-to-school event will be held Aug. 13 at Fisher Playground (corner of Vespasian Blvd., Wagner Street, and Hendee Street) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.