Celebrating National Health Center Week 2026 at ANHC
August 25, 2026
Earlier this month, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center joined Community Health Centers across Alaska and the nation in celebrating National Health Center Week from August 2–8.
This year’s theme, “Building Innovative Care Where It Matters Most,” celebrated the ways Community Health Centers respond to the unique needs of the people and communities they serve. At ANHC, the week was an opportunity to celebrate our staff and volunteers, strengthen community partnerships, open our doors to our neighbors and, most importantly, recognize the patients and community who make our work possible.
The week also received statewide recognition, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy issuing an official proclamation recognizing National Health Center Week in Alaska.
From celebrating the people behind ANHC to welcoming more than 220 guests through our doors, here’s a look back at National Health Center Week 2026.
Celebrating the people behind ANHC
Providing high-quality, compassionate care to our community takes a team.
During National Health Center Week, ANHC held a Staff and Volunteer Appreciation Lunch to recognize the people who make our mission possible every day. Staff and members of our volunteer Board of Directors were treated to lunch from Hula Hands, served by members of ANHC’s senior leadership team.
The celebration reflected one of National Health Center Week’s national focus areas: recognizing the staff and volunteers whose work keeps Community Health Centers serving their communities.
Whether providing care directly to patients or supporting the many operations behind that care, every member of the ANHC team plays a role in helping our neighbors access the services they need.
Opening our doors to Anchorage
The centerpiece of our celebration was ANHC’s annual National Health Center Week Open House, when more than 220 guests joined us for a day of resources, activities, food, and an opportunity to learn more about their local Community Health Center.
Visitors included current and prospective patients, families, community members, and representatives from organizations we work alongside throughout Anchorage.
This year, six community organizations joined us to connect attendees with resources—twice as many partners as last year.
Those partners were selected with purpose. ANHC staff who regularly help patients navigate social services, outreach, and referrals helped identify some of the resources they see our community needing most. Representatives from Food Bank of Alaska, WIC, Alaska Literacy Program, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Anchorage Project Access, and RurAL CAP joined us to bring those resources directly to the community.
Bringing these organizations together in one place reflects something we see every day at ANHC: health is about more than what happens during a medical appointment. Access to food, education, housing, and other community supports can all play a role in helping people live healthier lives.
A closer look at care
Throughout the Open House, visitors had opportunities to learn more about ANHC and take an active step for their health.
Approximately 35 people participated in free blood pressure screenings, while ANHC staff shared information about the medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and other services available at the health center.
We also offered approximately 40 tours of our facility throughout the day. For prospective patients, the tours offered a chance to see ANHC firsthand as they considered establishing a new health care home. For community organizations and partners, they created opportunities to learn more about our work and explore how we can better connect our services and resources for Anchorage.
One visitor also shared a reminder of why access to consistent care matters. Since becoming an ANHC patient, he told us, he has been able to get his blood sugar under control. His experience is one of many that illustrate the difference a trusted health care home can make.
Community, connection, & a little magic
Health was at the center of the day, but so was community.
Families gathered for a free hour-long show from Magic by Robbie, followed by close-up magic with guests. Kids could stop by our activity table for snacks, frisbees, crayons, and National Health Center Week-themed coloring sheets created by the Alaska Primary Care Association.
As one of 29 Community Health Centers serving Alaskans, ANHC was proud to celebrate alongside health centers across the state.
Outside, five local food trucks brought an international mix of flavors to the Open House: Yeti Dogs, Jeepney Filipino Fusion Food, Reserva Venezolana, Alaska Bubble Waffles, and Cuban Craving.
ANHC also invited guests to tell us what they love about their health center. Their responses were a reminder that while we can measure our work in visits, screenings and services, the relationships built between our staff, patients, and community are just as meaningful. Here’s what they shared with us:
“Everything!! Thank you!”
“The staff at ANHC has gone above and beyond to take care of me. Thank you for all you do.”
“Staff is friendly and location is pretty convenient. Genuinely seems like a nice place.”
“You fill so many gaps in our community! Thanks for all you do!”
“Thank you so much for serving people. God bless you all.”
“Best place to work ever!”
“I have been coming here for 3 years and have never been turned away.”
“That everyone cares! Thank you for taking care of me and my family! I don’t know what we’d do without this place.”
“I love the accessibility for hours and variety of services.”
More than one week
National Health Center Week may happen once a year, but the work it celebrates happens every day.
For more than 50 years, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center has worked to make high-quality health care accessible to the Anchorage community. We are proud to be part of a nationwide network of Community Health Centers—and grateful for the staff, volunteers, patients, partners, and neighbors who continue to make our work possible.
To everyone who joined us, partnered with us, celebrated our staff, or simply stopped by to learn more about ANHC during National Health Center Week: thank you.
We look forward to continuing to build connections, strengthen partnerships and provide care where it matters most—right here in our community.