Forty Years of Caring for Our Most Vulnerable Neighbors

Born out of a group of community health centers established in Seattle in the late 1960s, Neighborcare Health is the ultimate community success story.

Our first clinics were an integral part of the changes in health care delivery sweeping the country, reflecting their founders’ remarkable vision, courage and boldness in creating something unprecedented. They were volunteer-based and existed on shoestring budgets. Operating in converted apartment units, fire stations and even converted taverns, staff in the early days were incredibly innovative in figuring out ways to deliver health care.

“We started from scratch, with nothing,” says Dr. Meredith Mathews, one of the founders. “We found some pretty disturbing reasons for why there were disparities in care.” For instance, a person living in the housing projects in West Seattle had to take at least two buses and spend more than two hours to get to the nearest source of care. As a result, people let their health languish.

So how did Neighborcare Health become the organization it is today?

The 1960s – Birth of Community Health Centers

• 1967: Seattle’s first community health clinic, the Open Door Clinic, established.
• 1968: Joe Whiting Dental Clinic, one of the first community clinics nationwide dedicated to dental access, founded.
• 1969: High Point Medical Clinic and Holly Park Medical Clinic founded.

The 1970s – Seattle’s Community Health Centers Consolidate

• 1971: Rainier Vista Medical Clinic founded.
• 1972: Georgetown Dental Clinic founded.
• 1973: Clinics became a consortium – first Southwest Medical and Dental Services of Seattle, and then later Neighborhood Health Centers of Seattle.
• 1974: Southeast Dental Clinic founded.
• 1978: Pike Market Medical Clinic founded.

The 1980s – Expanded Government Support of Community Health Centers

• 1985: The Fremont Women’s Clinic and North End Medical Clinic merged to form 45th St. Clinic.
• 1986: Clinics consolidate to become Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers.
• 1987: Basic Health Plan established in Washington state to provide access to health insurance for low-income residents.
• 1989: Federally Qualified Health Centers Act allows health centers to collect cost-based reimbursement for Medicaid services.

The 1990s – Further Expansion of Community Health Centers

• 1990: Holly Park Medical Clinic and Rainier Vista Medical Clinic consolidate.
• 1991: RainerPark Medical Clinic opens.
• 1992: Community Health Plan of Washington created by Washington state’s community health centers.
• Sealth High School Teen Health Center founded.
• Central Area Dental Clinic founded.
• Denny Middle School Wellness Center opened.

The 2000s – Community Health Centers Come of Age

• 2000: Providence-Rainier Medical Clinic joins organization and becomes Rainier Beach Medical Clinic; Southeast Family Dental Clinic moves to new location; Greenwood Medical Clinic opens.
• 2001: West Seattle Teen Health Center, Madison Wellness Center, 45th St. Clinic, and Roosevelt Teen Health Center join organization.
• 2003: New High Point Medical and Dental Clinic built to replace Joe Whiting Dental Clinic and High Point Medical Clinic.
• 2005: Pike Market Medical Clinic joins organization.
• 2006: Georgetown Dental Clinic renovated.
• 2007: Pike Market Medical Clinic expanded.
• 2008: Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers changes its name to Neighborcare Health and celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Today, Neighborcare Health operates 17 medical, dental and school-based health clinics, and is the largest provider of primary health care to low-income and uninsured families and individuals in Seattle. Nationwide, there are now more than 1100 community health centers that provide essential primary health care to more than 15 million Americans.