It’s National Health Center Week! We honor all of Multnomah County’s healthcare providers and staff, past and present, who together embody this year’s theme of “The Chemistry for Strong Communities.”
This is the second year in a row that Multnomah County has celebrated this occasion under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. The disproportionate impacts of the virus on our most vulnerable and marginalized communities have highlighted how generations of systemic racism and inequity have contributed to the shortcomings of our healthcare systems. However, the pandemic has emphasized how vital Multnomah County’s Community Health Centers have been to serving all of our communities — and especially those that have been historically overlooked, underserved and marginalized — since we established our first center in 1971.
National Health Center Week serves as an opportunity to shine the light on our compassionate, dedicated staff who are deeply committed to building and advancing health equity within our community. On behalf of over 60,000 clients and the 5,600 staff members at Multnomah County, we celebrate our Community Health Centers and healthcare workers for their contributions to creating a new legacy of holistic health in our community.
Deborah Kafoury
Multnomah County Chair
Harold Odhiambo
Community Health Center Board Chair
To learn more about the origins and core values of the Health Center movement, view this short video: