Yarmuth Announces More Than $2.25 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding for Louisville Community Health Centers
LOUISVILLE – Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-03) announced that more than $2.25 million in American Rescue Plan funding has been awarded to three community health centers in Louisville.
The awards are part of nearly $1 billion in funding awarded nationwide through the American Rescue Plan—legislation led through Congress by Yarmuth—that health centers can use for COVID-19-related capital needs, constructing new facilities, renovating and expanding existing facilities to enhance response to pandemics, and purchasing new state-of-the-art equipment, including telehealth technology, mobile medical vans, and freezers to store vaccines.
Yarmuth announced awards of $992,382 to Family Health Centers; $715,600 to Park DuValle Community Health Center; and $542,757 to Shawnee Christian Healthcare Center.
“Community health centers help provide quality care directly to those who need it most, including individuals and families living in some of our most underserved neighborhoods and communities,” said Yarmuth. “This funding will help these life-saving institutions grow their footprint, expand their services to help more people, and ensure that the quality care they offer can continue without interruption during this deadly pandemic. I am incredibly proud to have helped author the American Rescue Plan to respond directly to disparities and inequalities within our health care system and strengthen our community health centers during this public health crisis.”
Family Health Centers (FHC) plans include repairs and updates to its main location in the Portland neighborhood, a 1930’s former hospital, including new HVAC units, renovated bathrooms and pharmacy area, as well as expanding the parking area. The largest project includes renovating the laundry building located next to the former U.S. Marine Hospital (circa 1851) that is a National Historic Landmark. The renovation of the laundry will allow for the expansion of direct patient services in the FHC main building.
“We are very appreciative of Congressman Yarmuth’s continued efforts to secure funding for community health centers,” states Dr. Bart Irwin, CEO of FHC. “This grant enables FHC to maintain and upgrade its aging facility in Portland allowing FHC to continue to provide health care and related services to medically underserved populations in Louisville.”
Park DuValle Community Health Center plans to use the funds received to expand operations at the Main Office on Wilson Ave. The expansion will add more than 3,500 sq. ft. of space to the clinic and allow for a centralized location for members of the Population Health team, as well as Nurse Case Managers, to collaborate and improve clinical workflow for patients. The entire grant will go toward the project.
“This is a great opportunity to expand our operations to increase services at the Park DuValle location at Wilson Avenue,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, CEO of Park DuValle Community Health Center.
Shawnee Christian Healthcare Center (SCHC) plans to utilize the $542,757 American Rescue Plan Capital Improvements Award to renovate and expand its existing medical center located in the Shawnee neighborhood. The project allows for increased capacity to serve patients and make critical infrastructure and information technology improvements.
“The team at Shawnee is thankful for the advocacy efforts of Congressman Yarmuth on behalf of community health centers,” states Dr. Stan Wardlaw, CEO of SCHC. “This funding enables Shawnee to make an infrastructure investment that will ensure we continue providing innovative and high-quality care to our patients for years to come.”
Family Health Centers, Inc. (FHC) is a not-for-profit, federally qualified health center who provides access to high quality primary and preventive health care services regardless of the ability to pay. Established in 1976, the Family Health Centers provides medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy services and more to 40,000 individuals annually through a network of eight health center locations throughout Louisville Metro. Learn more at www.fhclouisville.org.
Park DuValle Community Health Center, the oldest federally qualified health center in Kentucky, is a community health care clinic network that has three locations in Louisville, two school-based clinics in JCPS High School, as well as clinics in Henry and Spencer counties. PDCHC offers Adult Medicine, Pediatric Medicine, Mental Health, Women’s Health, and Dental services. PDCHC also has a full-service pharmacy as well as on-site CLIA certified lab, and x-ray. PDCHC was opened in 1968 by Dr. Harvey Sloane, who later served as Mayor of Louisville for two terms. PDCHC is currently under the direction of Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Swannie Jett, DrPH, MSc.
Shawnee Christian Healthcare Center, Inc. (SCHC) is a not-for-profit, federally qualified health center that provides access to high-quality medical, dental, mental health, and supportive service regardless of the ability to pay. Established in 2011 and gained FQHC status in 2015, SCHC serves more than 3300 patients annually through one medical center, a dental center, and ten school-based health sites. Learn more at www.shawneechristianhealthcare.org.