National Association of Community Health Centers

10/22/2026

How can we turn Food for Health programs into sustainable solutions that improve patient health?

At the Food as Medicine Policy & Research Summit in Alexandria, VA, NACHC's Rachel Ram, MPH, Program Manager of Whole-Person Health, and Amy Flowers, PhD, Director of Data Analytics, joined Karen Guillory, LICSW, Senior Director of Social Services at Unity Health Care, to present "From Practice to Policy: Scaling Food as Medicine through Community Health Centers."

The session explored how Community Health Centers (CHCs) are integrating food and nutrition interventions into whole-person care and what it takes to sustain and expand these efforts.

Guillory highlighted lessons learned from Unity Health Care's Food Pharmacy, which supports patients managing hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in Washington, DC's Wards 7 and 8. The discussion also examined strategies for integrating food insecurity screening, referrals, and nutrition interventions into clinical workflows, as well as the policy and funding opportunities needed to support long-term sustainability.

The takeaway: Real-world experiences at CHCs are essential to shaping policies that make Food as Medicine programs more accessible, effective, and sustainable.

Thank you to Guillory for sharing Unity Health Care's innovative work, to everyone who joined the conversation, and to Abbott for supporting NACHC's efforts to advance Food for Health.

10/19/2026

Access to nutritious food is essential to good health, and Community Health Centers (CHCs) are helping bridge the gap between food, nutrition, and whole-person care.

A new national assessment from NACHC, supported by the Elevance Health Foundation, highlights how CHCs are advancing Food for Health initiatives, from nutrition education and food insecurity screening to produce prescription programs and medically tailored meals.

The findings reveal both progress and opportunities for growth:

• 88% of surveyed health centers use a standardized food and nutrition security screening tool.

• 65% offer at least one Food for Health intervention.

• Yet 41% of health centers with a Food for Health program reach fewer than 10% of their patients.

Building on this progress, CHCs have an opportunity to expand Food for Health efforts through sustainable funding, stronger infrastructure, and community partnerships that improve access to nutrition support and advance whole-person health.

🔗 Read NACHC's latest blog to learn more: https://bit.ly/3TN0SND.

10/15/2026

Where we train the next generation of primary care providers matters.

Rural communities face significant health care workforce shortages, and Community Health Centers (CHCs) are part of the solution.

With more than 80% of CHCs offering workforce development opportunities, expanding community-based residency training programs can help bring more physicians and dentists to the communities that need them most.

In NACHC's latest blog, our policy experts explore how federal investments and the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program can help states expand residency training opportunities, strengthen the rural health care workforce, and advance the Primary Care Triple Double strategy.

🔗 Read the blog to learn more: https://bit.ly/4ysdU1d

10/14/2026

Last week in Santa Barbara, NACHC’s Center for Innovation and Direct Relief hosted the third Innovation Incubator Final Pitch Event. Eight health center teams, each backed by $30,000 in funding, took the stage to pitch sustainable business models and new service lines built to strengthen their organizations and communities.

Congratulations 🎉 to AccessHealth and Family Health Center of Worcester, who each earned an additional $10,000 to keep the momentum going!

Thank you to all of our teams: AccessHealth, Community Health Service Inc., Family Health Center of Worcester, HealthLinc, Hope Family Care Center, MCR Health, OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc., Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center

Be on the lookout for the 2027 Innovation Incubator, focused on transforming mobile health programs. Get notified when applications open: https://bit.ly/incubatorinterest2027

10/13/2026

Congratulations to the Community Health Centers and one Primary Care Association that achieved new, upgraded or renewed Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) status in August and September! 🎉👏

Learn more about the ACE program and apply here: https://bit.ly/3D7f9Zd

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

October 5-9 is Primary Care Week. Primary care improves health, lowers costs and expands access — yet it remains under-resourced. When people have access to primary care, they are more likely to get preventive services, manage chronic conditions early, avoid unnecessary emergency room visits, and experience better overall health outcomes—no matter their income or zip code.

That is why Cherry Health is supporting the Triple Double: Investment. Access. Workforce. Doubled. 🏀 Together, policymakers, health care leaders and advocates can build momentum for stronger primary care in communities across the country.

Be part of the effort: https://www.primarycareforamerica.org/goals/

PrimaryCareforAmerica National Association of Community Health Centers Michigan Primary Care Association MPCA

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

Happy Physician Assistant Week! 💙

Join us in celebrating the incredible work of Physician Assistants (PAs) who play a vital role on Community Health Center (CHC) care teams. From preventive services and chronic disease management to addressing the broader health needs of patients, PAs help CHCs deliver comprehensive, whole-person primary care to communities across the country.

Meet Tamyra Trice, a PA and Chief Clinical Operations Officer at Progressive Community Health Centers (PCHC), Inc. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Having spent her entire career serving Community Health Centers, Tamyra shares what makes the PA profession so rewarding, the importance of caring for the community she calls home, and the opportunities for PAs to make an impact both in patient care and leadership.

Thank you to Tamyra and all PAs for your dedication, expertise, and compassionate care. You make a difference in the lives of patients and communities every day!