As Community of Hope marks the first anniversary of the expanded Family Health and Birth Center, we cannot help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. In just one year, the center has become a beacon of hope and a lifeline for those in need of medical, birthing, and emotional support.
Since we opened on Bladensburg Rd, we have provided care to 5,358 patients in 20,005 medical and emotional wellness visits. What’s more? Nearly 1,000 new patients have chosen our center as their primary source of healthcare, a testament to the trust and confidence that the community has placed in us. 30 beautiful babies have been born in our birth center with many more welcomed at Washington Hospital Center by our outstanding midwives and doulas.
The vast majority of patients represent people of color, with approximately 80% identifying as Black. For us, this is not just a statistic, but a reminder of the critical need for accessible and equitable healthcare.
As we look back on the past year, we celebrate not just the numbers, but the countless lives touched and transformed. We are honored to be a part of so many health and wellness journeys.
Thank you to all the donors, investors, architects, contractors, and staff who helped make this expanded center become a reality.
Voices of Family Health and Birth Center:
“One of the things I really appreciate about FHBC is all of the amazing art – and how fully our clients respond to it. When I am walking with clients in the first floor out to the lobby, almost always someone pauses to stop and comment on the joy they feel when seeing the big mural… Some of the responses to Halimah Smith’s Juneteenth have included ‘when I look at that painting, I see me and my neighborhood – I don’t often see that; it means a lot’ and ‘that’s how I grew up, double-dutching; I feel freedom looking at that.’ For me, the new center embodies beauty and joy in our surroundings … as a resource that affirms belonging, well-being, and thriving.” — Anne Eckman, Emotional Wellness Clinician
“The pharmacy has reduced and, in many cases, eliminated the need for our patients to travel anywhere else for their prescription needs. Living in an under-served community should never mean that your healthcare options or services should be subpar. Our patients love having access to affordable medications, quality care and personalized services from a friendly pharmacy staff… and it is all right here in their community. People in the community tell us daily how much they love this pharmacy. They trust and respect us and they can feel that we care; which are few things that they were missing at other pharmacies.” — Dr. Damon Gilliam, Pharmacist
“I would say it has been great watching the Center expand over the past year as we have expanded our services to include a pharmacy, WIC, community health workers, and more. I have had countless families express their gratitude regarding all the growth and our continued ability to support their health and wellbeing.” — Curt Eckstrom, Medical Director
