It has been more than 150 years since chemists in England, Germany, and Russia began constructing the first periodic table of the elements, arranging the fundamental constituents of the universe in order of their atomic weight and relations to one another. Even today, scientists debate the placement of certain elements and continue efforts to catch a glimpse, however brief, of “new” elements.
The elements of health center success
America’s network of health centers — founded in 1965 — is much younger than the periodic table, but shares some of the same features:
Dedication over time: It has taken public health advocates, politicians, physicians, and the public more than five decades to build the framework of some 1,500 health centers that today serve more than 28 million Americans, including many of the most vulnerable.
Every element counts: Just as atomic weights vary, some of the elements that contribute to healthcare carry greater weight than others. But all play a role.
Everything depends on good chemistry: Just as the periodic table guides understanding of life and the universe, focusing on the elements that constitute our health centers can guide efforts to improve them.
The theme of National Health Center Week 2021, being observed August 8-14, 2021, is “The Chemistry for Strong Communities.” Each day focuses on a specific area, including public health in housing, healthcare for the homeless, agricultural worker health, and children’s health. There are appreciation days for patients, health center staff, and other health center stakeholders.
Passing the test of a pandemic
Every one of those elements has a role to play in the success of the nation’s health centers, and never has that been clearer than during the nation’s struggle with COVID-19. The pandemic has tested the capacity of medical systems throughout the world. Here in the U.S., those systems have sometimes bent but rarely broken.
This year’s health center week is also a time to pause and remember those who have lost their lives to the pandemic they were working to end.
“Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities,” notes the National Association of Community Health Centers. “Let’s come together this week to celebrate the roles Community Health Centers have played in both our recent moments of loss and triumph. This National Health Center Week honors those front-line providers, staff, and beloved patients who lost their lives during the (ongoing) COVID-19 pandemic.”
Our ongoing commitment to health centers
eClinicalWorks is honored to be a sponsor of National Health Center Week and proud of our ongoing partnership with health centers nationwide.
Long after National Health Center Week is over — and long after the COVID-19 crisis is safely in our past — providers and staff nationwide will continue to do the hard, day-to-day work of providing care to all in need. eClinicalWorks will be there by their side to provide the tools they need to get those essential jobs done.
