Honoring 60 Years of Community Care with OroMed’s Health Center Employee Award

The passage of the Economic Opportunity Act in 1965 marked a watershed moment in U.S. healthcare history, giving life to the Community Health Center program and transforming care for millions in underserved areas. Six decades on, OroMed is proud to commemorate this milestone by launching the inaugural Health Center Employee Award, dedicated to celebrating the everyday heroes whose dedication fuels our community health centers. 

This Year We Celebrate 60 Years of Service and Care

A Legacy of Service: 60 Years Strong 

Back in July 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation that laid the groundwork for what would become the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) program. From those early pilot sites to more than 1,400 health centers serving over 31 million patients today, the program’s growth reflects a steadfast belief that quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege. This anniversary isn’t just about looking back, it’s about honoring the compassion and resilience of the care teams who have faithfully carried forward that vision through every challenge and triumph. 

Milestone Spotlight: Community Health by the Numbers 

• 31.5 million patients received care at community health centers in the past year, an increase from 30.5 million the year before (KFF, TechTarget). 

• 41 percent of those patients live in rural communities, bringing essential services to remote areas (TechTarget). 

• Providing care to approximately 1 in 5 uninsured individuals (NACHC).

• Health centers operated over 15,600 service delivery sites, including school‑based and mobile units, delivering 132 million visits in 2023, including 17.5 million telehealth visits (KFF, TechTarget). 

• Since 2015, mobile health units have grown by 139 percent, and today there are roughly 655 mobile units in operation, about 30 percent of which serve rural areas, bringing care directly to people where they live and work (NACHC, NACHC). 

These figures underscore the scale and innovation of community health centers and the critical role each care worker plays. 

How Oromed is Taking Part in Celebrations 

While national recognition often highlights high‑profile institutions, the individuals delivering care on the ground—nurses, medical assistants, community health workers, dentists, physicians, technicians, and support staff—don’t always get their moment in the spotlight. OroMed’s Health Center Worker Award is our way of changing that narrative. By celebrating outstanding professionals, we aim to: 

• Amplify Awareness: Share real stories of dedication and innovation in community health. 

• Inspire Excellence: Encourage peers by showcasing how one person’s commitment can ripple out to benefit entire communities. 

• Build Support: Highlighting these achievements can help attract attention from funders, local advocates, and the public at large. 

Every patient interaction, from a preventive oral health check to managing chronic conditions, strengthens community well‑being. Our award shines a light on those efforts. 

Introducing the Health Center Employee Award 

This month, we're honoring one standout care professional whose work embodies service, creativity, and teamwork. Award criteria include: 

1. Patient‑Centered Impact: Excellence in serving marginalized or underserved populations. 

2. Innovation in Practice: Creative approaches that improve access, efficiency, or outcomes. 

3. Collaborative Leadership: Active engagement in interdisciplinary teams, mentoring, or community outreach. 

4. Advocacy & Education: Efforts to raise awareness, whether with patients, families, or local stakeholders, about community health needs. 

Nominations were submitted in July and our deadline for submissions is now closed. Our panel is now reviewing each submission and will select an honoree whose story we’ll share across our channels on August 9th. 

Driving Visibility for Community Health Heroes 

Raising visibility is the first step toward broader understanding and support. Once we’ve selected a winner, we’ll highlight their journey and impact. We hope these authentic stories inspire policymakers, funders, and local communities to recognize and support the vital role of community health workers. 

Celebrating a Milestone Year 

This year isn’t just another anniversary, it’s an opportunity to recognize six decades of progress in community‑based care. At OroMed we share in the collective celebration of 60 years since the health center program began. Building this award program is our way of celebrating the tireless individuals who've made the last six decades a major success in healthcare. This award reflects our belief that every perspective matters and that community support strengthens our healthcare system. 

The Ripple Effect: Benefits Beyond Recognition 

Recognition can spark lasting impact. Programs like this have historically led to: 

• Expanded Funding: Spotlighted professionals often secure grants to grow their programs. 

• Policy Influence: Awardee stories have informed state and federal health policy decisions. 

• Loyalty & Retention: Celebrated employees report higher morale and lower turnover. 

With OroMed’s Health Center Worker Award, we want to support this work, by fortifying the workforce that delivers this critical care and bring a spotlight to ways we can increase support, care and services for these communities in the future.  

How to Get Involved 

Submissions are now closed, however you can still check back for our announcement on our blog and in our socials.

And we will be announcing this award again soon! We want to make this nomination process a regular part of our recognition of health center workers. When we open submissions again, we welcome all health center staff, partners, and patients to nominate a deserving professional, (including themselves!) for the Health Center Employee Award. Whether it’s a community health worker who transformed outreach or a dentist who championed preventive care, we want to elevate their story. We'll keep you posted for the next submission cycle!

Join the Celebration 

As we honor 60 years since the birth of the community health center movement, we recognize that our greatest achievements are driven by people. OroMed’s Health Center Worker Award is our way of expressing gratitude and sharing these inspiring stories. We hope that, together with our readers and supporters, we can spark wider appreciation for the heroes who dedicate their lives to serving underserved communities and encourage even more to join their ranks in the years ahead, while bringing attention, recognition and appreciation to this incredible American initiative and ingenuity.