National Health Center Week is an annual celebration, raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers over the past five decades. This year, the National Association of Community Health Centers and the Health Center Advocacy Network invite everyone to celebrate the ways that health centers are “Rooted in Communities.”
Recently, we had an employee return from an onsite visit to one of our client health centers, and this is what they had to say about their experience that day:
During our lives we have unique milestone moments of clarity… abrupt wakeup calls and moments of being forcefully humbled… gut punches, if you will, that help us realize how blessed we are. Today was one of those days. I had the chance to visit an urban-based FQHC where I met some of the hardest working and most loyal people. I also had a chance to briefly look into the eyes of some of the most underprivileged and vulnerable patients I have encountered in my healthcare career. We can often lose site of the patient, and today that hit me hard.
As a parent, I have experienced a sacrificial desire to love and care for someone beyond anything I thought possible. Today I saw moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters who have been hit with unfortunate life circumstances in a really hard way. I couldn’t help but picture my family and friends as those in the waiting room, desperate for urgent care and no other place to turn. It is easy to lose perspective on how big our country is, and how much patient care can vary for those who need it most. Let’s be honest, life isn’t fair. I saw desperate moms with multiple sick kids and no place to go. I saw and spoke to homeless, broken, and
hopeless patients; staff members, who looked like hope was lost yet who continued to push forward. It is so easy to forget how hurt, broken, and in need people are in our communities.
As I tearfully write this note, I want to send you encouragement. Today reminded me that we ARE helping change the lives of those in need through population health analytics. On the hardest days, the most stressful days, I’m here to remind you (and myself) that our work is making a real difference.
It’s easy to lose track of our mission: Serving Others for Healthy Communities, but I encourage everyone regardless of role or job title, that YOU are supporting those in need to live healthier lives. Pause, don’t skip this, and read it again. We are helping families – moms, dads, sons, and daughters – live better lives.
Healthy communities, that’s what it’s all about. Community Health Centers are a tremendous part of i2i, and they are even more important to the communities they serve. They deserve our celebration and appreciation in a BIG way, and we hope you’ll join us in spreading their mission of serving such special patient populations.