Responding to the changing needs of communities and populations has long been a hallmark of our nation’s community health centers. The graying of communities – occurring at a rapid pace – is one such major population shift, touching CHCs everywhere. The National Population Projections released by the U.S. Census Bureau project that by 2034, there will be 77.0 million people age 65 years and older, or one-and-a half times as many as were reported in 2016 (49.2 million). For the first time, adults will outnumber the nation’s children under the age of 18. By 2030, 1 in every 5 U.S. residents will be of retirement age.

To get a bird’s-eye view of how several health centers are meeting new demands for care, we reached out to colleagues at LifeLong Medical Care (CA), Howard Brown Health (IL), and Community Health Centers of Burlington (VT), CHCs known for elder-focused care. While each has unique programs and faces local challenges, each has found a way to forge connections with elders in their communities and to offer older patients high-quality, empathic care. Read about their programs and approaches in our latest CHroniCles Beat blog, entitled, Making Connections: Community Health Centers go the Extra Mile for Elders.


Photo: CHCB At-Home Physician, Dr. Karen Sokol, with one of her patients. Photo courtesy of Community Health Centers of Burlington

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Information Technology and Data in Healthcare

We are pleased to share a new book by our dear friend and colleague, the late David Hartzband D. Sc. entitled, ‘Information Technology and Data in Healthcare: Using and Understanding Data’. David passed away in April 2019, shortly after finishing the manuscript of this book.

The book, released as part of the HIMSS Book Series, addresses several topics important to understanding data in healthcare, with a particular focus on the evolution of data now and in the future. It also provides in-depth perspectives on emerging changes in requirements for data analysis and healthcare information infrastructure, as well as applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in healthcare.

David served as the director of technology research at the Foundation, where he spearheaded the organization’s continued evaluation, assessment, and findings dissemination related to health information technology. David’s expertise on data use in population health management supported the Foundation’s population health initiative, and his work provided leadership for the foundation’s vision of utilizing HIT to ensure healthcare quality. You can view selected presentationscolumnsreports and “HIT connections” contributions to NACHC’s Community Health Forum magazine on our website. We are truly grateful for David’s dedication and contributions to the health center community, and to our Foundation’s work.

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Health Policy Fellows Program: Apply now for the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021

The Geiger Gibson Health Policy Fellows Program is designed to meet the professional needs of mid-level and senior staff pursuing leadership careers in community health centers and state and regional primary care associations. In this Fellowship, health center and PCA staff will develop deeper understanding of health policy and acquire health policy analysis competencies of value to their organizations’ policy and advocacy work. Apply now for our Fall 2020 cohort: October 19-21, 2020 or Spring 2021: April 19-21, 2021. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Fellowship information can be found here.

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In Memoriam: Dr. Floyd J. Malveaux

Floyd J. Malveaux, M.D., PhD, our colleague, collaborator and friend, passed away on January 9. A scientist and physician with a broad and deep impact on healthcare practice, education and policy, following his retirement as the Dean of the Howard University College of Medicine Dr. Malveaux led the Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc. (MCAN), a non-profit funded by the Merck Foundation to focus on the complex issues related to childhood asthma in the U.S. As Executive Director of MCAN, Dr. Malveaux developed and led Community Healthcare for Asthma Management and Prevention of Symptoms (CHAMPS). This multi-site, multi-year project assessed whether evidence-based interventions for asthma could be successfully replicated in the health center setting, and it is here that we were privileged to work alongside Dr. Malveaux to support and promote the CHAMPS program. His leadership of MCAN was the capstone of his distinguished career committed to addressing public health disparities. May Dr. Malveaux’s memory be for a blessing.

Read more about Dr. Malveuax’s legacy and The Floyd J. Malveaux, M.D., Ph.D. Endowed Chair in Public Health.

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The 2020 Health Power 100

City & State’s 2020 Health Power 100 recognizes local leaders working to improve health and healthcare for all New Yorkers. This year’s honorees include several community health center leaders, Brain McIndoe at Ryan Health, Anne Kauffman Nolon of Hudson River HealthCare, Asa Radix of Callen Lorde Community Health Center, and Charles King at Housing Works Community Healthcare. Also recognized are Amida Care President and CEO, Doug Wirth, who is also a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, as well as RCHN CHF President and CEO Feygele Jacobs. You can read the full 2020 Health Power 100 list online.

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See You at the P&I

We’re looking forward to the NACHC’s upcoming Policy and Issues Forum (March 16-19), in Washington D.C where our team will again be showcasing ChroniCles. We will be in booth #206 in the EXPO hall, so please come by and say hi! We would love to meet you and add your story to the online chronicle of America’s community health center movement. We’ll also have giveaways, prizes and treats!

Can’t make it to the P&I? We would still love to add or update your CHroniCles profile and share your unique story. To get involved, please contact Irene Bruce, CHroniCles Manager, via email at ibruce@rchnfoundation.org.