Health Center Celebrated This Week

Aug. 9, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I have been a member of the board of directors of the Rockbridge Area Health Center (RAHC) for only four years, and I continue to be amazed at the number and variety of services the health center offers.

RAHC’s mission is “to promote and provide access to comprehensive, high quality and affordable health care to improve the health and well-being of the greater community.”

To accomplish this mission, the health center has developed programs to ensure medical, dental, and behavioral health care services are available and affordable to anyone, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

RAHC continues to respond to the ever-evolving health care needs of the community. For example, community surveys revealed that transportation is a barrier to care for many folks, especially those in the outlying areas of Rockbridge County. Through grants and hard work, RAHC recently acquired two mobile health care units, one for medical and one for dental services. Each mobile unit is currently on the road at least twice weekly, with the goal being four days by the beginning of next year. In addition, RAHC added satellite health care sites in Buena Vista and in the Kendal at Lexington retirement community. All offices are open to anyone seeking care.

RAHC offers preventive/wellness health services, screenings, immunizations, chronic disease management, acute/sick care, women’s healthcare, pediatrics services, and behavioral health services. Where else in the area can patients also receive medication assistance and language interpretation services when needed? In partnership with local schools, RAHC provides dental care in each school twice a year, as well as school and sports physicals and immunizations at area schools in the mobile medical unit.

RAHC is a local, nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) – one of many throughout the country. In the Rockbridge area, we have one of the finest FQHC’s in the country, earning awards for the high-quality of services and programs offered. I hope you’ll join us in celebrating National Health Center Week this week, and I encourage you to be an advocate for the Rockbridge Area Health Center. RAHC will always be there when you need their services. DENNIS CROPPER Chair, board of directors Rockbridge Area Health Center