Recently being recognized as a federally qualified health center (FQHC), Susquehanna Community Health and Dental Center and the community gathered Saturday to celebrate Community Health Day.
Elected officials, patients, board members and employees all turned out to show support for the health center.
U.S. Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Howard, said it's important to make health care affordable and accessible to the entire community.
"Centers like this ... are very important to making sure of that," he said.
The health center uses a sliding-fee scale, which is based on an individual or family's income. The center can serve both those who have insurance and those who don't.
State Rep. Rick Mirabito, D-Williamsport, also said he was glad to be at an event that recognizes the importance of community health.
"I'm proud to stand here with the leaders that made that possible," he said.
Along with recognizing the health center as a FQHC, Joanne Corte Grossi, regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced it will a receive $650,000 grant to "expand services."
"It really is our pleasure to give $650,000 to Susquehanna (Community Health and Dental Center)," Grossi said.
The grant was through the Affordable Care Act, which Grossi said has helped to create about 35,000 jobs across the country.
Ellen Krajewski, president and CEO of the health center, said although it could function, the grant allowed the health center to do so much more.
"Without that, we couldn't thrive," she said.
State Rep. Garth Everett, R-Muncy, said the work that the health center does is a great service to the community.
"I think this is a great facility and great outreach," Everett said.
Thompson said the center is not just "bricks and mortar." The staff makes it an inviting facility.
The health center started as a service provided by Susquehanna Health System. Early in 2011, it decided to separate in order to try and become a FQHC.
Steve Johnson, president and CEO of Susquehanna Health, said he hopes the center will give him updates on its progress and "share some family love." He said he felt like a parent of a student who just graduated from high school and was moving onto college.
Grossi said the health center is very important.
"They really are the lifeline for the community," she said.
Krajewski said its work allows residents to enjoy every day.
"If everyone's not healthy, we can't work (and) we can't play," she said.
Seeing so many come out in support of the center, Krajewski said it made all of the hard work worth it.
"We have a lot of hurdles every day to do what we do," she said.
