Senator Hassan, Congresswoman Kuster, and Mayor Donchess Join Harbor Care to Celebrate National Health Center Week

NASHUA, N.H. – In celebration of National Health Center Week, Harbor Care on Thursday honored Senator Maggie Hassan and Congresswoman Annie Kuster with Health Champion awards, and Mayor Jim Donchess issued an official City of Nashua Proclamation, saluting the national movement and Harbor Care’s Health and Wellness Center.

“We were pleased to have Senator Hassan, Congresswoman Kuster, and Mayor Donchess join us today to celebrate the impact community health centers have in addressing the healthcare needs of many of our most vulnerable community members,” states Henry Och, President & CEO of Harbor Care. “Community Health Centers, such as Harbor Care’s Health & Wellness Center, are vital to reducing health disparities and promoting health equity in underserved areas, reaching those who might otherwise be left without essential care.”

The Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a mission to serve everyone, regardless of one’s ability to pay, and with a particular focus on populations experiencing homelessness.  The Health Center saw more than 22,000 visits in 2022. The Center offers primary care and preventative services, substance use treatment, mental health care, dentistry, pharmaceutical services, and more. For more information, visit www.harborcarenh.org/healthcare-index.

The event also hosted the Boston regional leadership team of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA administers the 1,400 community health centers nationwide, serving more than 31.5 million Americans and saving the public $24 billion in health costs each year. Representatives from the Bi-State Primary Care Association also attended.

In his official proclamation, Mayor Donchess said, the City of Nashua honors Harbor Care “as both a Federally Qualified Health Center and state-approved Community Mental Health Provider, as well as NH’s largest supportive housing provider for homeless households.”

Och said, “Health Center Week gives us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the tireless efforts of FQHCs and the remarkable individuals who work within them. FQHCs embody the values of compassion, inclusivity, and social justice, ensuring that every person, regardless of their socioeconomic background, has access to the care they deserve.” He said the significance of FQHCs is not limited to medical services: “They are vital players in reducing health disparities, promoting health equity, and bolstering underserved communities.”

The event was generously sponsored by AmeriHealth Caritas, NH Healthy Families, and Wellsense Health Plan.

All three elected officials vowed to continue the fight for healthcare equity for all.

U.S. SENATOR MAGGIE HASSAN

“It was a pleasure to join Harbor Care today as we mark National Health Center Week,” said Senator Hassan. “Community health centers play a vital role in the mission of expanding access to quality health care, which is why I have worked across party lines to secure funding for them. I will keep working to protect funding for community health centers and bring down health care costs.”

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ANNIE KUSTER

“Community health centers play an essential role in delivering care to communities across New Hampshire — we must equip them with the resources they need to care for their patients,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Harbor Care is a vital health care partner in our state and demonstrates the positive impact that community health centers have. During Community Health Center Week and every week, I want to thank the health care providers who work hard each day to ensure families across our state have the support they need.”

MAYOR JIM DONCHESS

“Harbor Care has been an important and impactful organization in our community for decades,” said Mayor Jim Donchess. “They have been instrumental in assisting some of our most vulnerable populations by providing access to multifaceted healthcare resources and housing assistance, ensuring the safety, stability and success of countless individuals.”