EVERETT—Community Health Center of Snohomish County (CHC) is proud to celebrate National Health Center Week 2025, which will take place August 3-9. The annual event highlights the essential role community health centers play in improving public health and providing Americans with equal health opportunities. Community health centers represent the nation’s largest primary care network, serving 32.5 million patients nationwide.
This year’s NHCW celebration, launched by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), focuses on the theme: “America’s Health Centers Celebrating 60 Years of Improving our Nation’s Health.” Community health centers across the country join the celebration through a host of scheduled events that include resource fairs, back-to-school events, health screenings, and visits to community clinics by local leaders.
With a mission to make high-quality, affordable care available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status, community health centers save lives and address our nation’s most pressing public health challenges. They are powered by a workforce of over 310,000 dedicated professionals who reach beyond the exam room walls with effective services that not only prevent illness but also address the factors that may cause it.
In 2024, CHC provided 244,030 patient visits to 76,028 individuals, reflecting a nearly 10% increase in patients served compared to the previous year. The number of patients seeking medical services rose by 16.5%, from 122,442 to 142,631. This growth was supported by CHC’s expansion efforts, which included adding a new School-Based Health Center at Mountlake Terrace High School and opening a clinic in Edmonds at Madrona Highlands, a newly developed affordable housing community for families experiencing homelessness.
Pam Sheffield, Chief Medical Officer at CHC, highlighted the importance of accessible healthcare for vulnerable communities and praised the unwavering commitment of the entire CHC team:
“Everyone deserves access to affordable, high-quality care. At CHC, we’re proud to have a compassionate, mission-driven team dedicated to providing outstanding care to every patient we serve.”
Community health centers serve 10% of the U.S. population but represent roughly 1% of total annual healthcare spending. By keeping people healthy, primary care saves lives and money. To learn more about the mission and accomplishments of community health centers, visit www.nachc.org. You can learn more about NHCW and view a listing of events at www.healthcenterweek.org.
Source: Community Health Center of Snohomish County
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
