REGION – Join in for National Health Center Week (NHCW), Aug. 2-8, a celebration of America’s Community Health Centers (CHCs) and their 60-year legacy of providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible care to millions. This year’s theme, “Building Innovative Care Where It Matters Most,” celebrates how CHCs use creativity and commitment to advance innovative solutions that meet patients where they are and improve primary care delivery, access, and outcomes nationwide.
Aligning NHCW celebrations and local activities with these focus areas helps amplify the national impact of the collective CHC message. Focus days are a suggested as a flexible guide – activities don’t have to happen on these exact dates.
Daily themes and celebrations
Sunday, Aug. 2: Celebrating our history – We kick off National Health Center Week with a look at the incredible innovation CHCs provide to their communities. From serving a handful of communities to now reaching one in seven Americans, CHCs have become a cornerstone of community health.
Monday, Aug. 3: Staff Appreciation Day – CHCs thrive because of their dedicated clinical and nonclinical staff. This day honors all employees and their vital contributions to patient care and organizational success. Let’s emphasize the importance of valuing everyone on the team.
Tuesday, Aug. 4: Patient Appreciation Day – Patients are at the heart of CHCs, and this day recognizes their role in shaping care delivery. We celebrate patient boards – a revolutionary model of governance where patients make up 51% or more of board members – and their contributions to the health center movement.
Wednesday, Aug. 5: Health Conditions Focus Day – CHCs play a critical role in addressing acute and chronic conditions through prevention, early detection, and treatment. This day highlights efforts like vaccinations, cancer screenings, heart health, diabetes care, and managing chronic infectious diseases.
Thursday, Aug. 6: Population Focus Day – CHCs serve patients of all races and ethnicities in rural, urban, suburban, island, and frontier communities. This includes maternal and child health, adults, elders/older adults, veterans, agricultural workers, and those experiencing homelessness, to name a few. This day celebrates CHCs’ commitment to understanding the unique needs of their patients and communities, and to providing quality, accessible care.
Friday, Aug. 7: Partner Appreciation Day – CHCs succeed through collaboration with public, nonprofit, and industry partners. From hospitals to schools, businesses to government leaders, food banks to public housing, these partnerships drive innovation and advance health.
Saturday, Aug. 8: Gratitude and future vision – We close the week with a focus on gratitude for all who contribute to the CHC mission and a vision for the future. Together, we aim to serve one in three Americans, ensuring health for all.
Let’s make National Health Center Week 2026 a memorable tribute to building innovation at America’s health centers. For more information, visit www.healthcenterweek.org/focus-days.