Greater Prince William Community Health Center to Celebrate National Health Center Week

The Greater Prince William Community Health Center will celebrate National Health Center Week with a three-day event Aug. 13, 14, and 15, offering free health screenings, lunch, games and activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

“This is part of a week-long campaign (August 11-17) to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s Health Centers as local solutions for affordable and accessible health care,” said Kendra Kielbasa, a Public Relations and Communications Spokesperson of Prince William Health Centers.

One of the bright spots in America’s health care system, Community Health Centers, have been in existence for over 45 years and have compiled a significant record of success by:

• Reducing income and ethnic health disparities nationwide, even in the poorest and most challenged communities
• Producing $24 billion in annual health system savings
• Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and unnecessary visits to the ER
• Generating a system of preventive medicine that patients use regularly to stay healthy, thus saving lives

Health centers serve more than 22 million people nationwide and are increasingly becoming the trusted provider-of-choice for many families, whether they are insured or not.

“Evidence shows patients choose health centers because they are convenient, affordable, and offer a range of services from a team of caring professionals. Studies also show the quality of care at a health center is as good or even better than private practices,” Kielbasa said.

Many doctors also advocate for community health centers.

“Every day in our waiting rooms I witness the value of having a patient-centered health care home,” said Medical Director, Dr. Rashid Mohiuddin. “When people have a place to go for regular care, they use it and stay healthier. We offer one-stop health care featuring primary care, dental, prenatal and behavioral health all at one location.”

Mohiuddin also likes that while the community keeps the health care costs affordable, it is a convenient and dignified place to secure medical care.

“Our patients not only get the care they need under one roof, but they are treated as individuals, with dignity and respect. This is what health care should be and what we celebrate during National Health Center Week,” Mohiuddin said.

Prince William Community Health Care located at 4379 Ridgewood Center Drive, Suite 102, Woodbridge, is a nonprofit organization serving patients of all ages and incomes and accepting various health insurance carriers, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Readers can find out more about National Health Center Week, by visiting www.healthcenterweek.org. and  find out more about Greater Prince William Community Health Center by visiting www.gpwhealthcenter.org  or by calling  703-680-7950.