OPINION: Celebrating 50 years of community with the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center
By Lisa D.H. Aquino
Originally published in the Anchorage Daily News on July 30, 2025
Every first week of August, health centers across the country celebrate National Health Center Week — a time to honor the people, partnerships and purpose behind community-based health care. This year is particularly meaningful, as it marks 60 years since the community health center movement began, and just over 50 years since Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, ANHC, opened our doors.
For five decades, ANHC has served as a steady and trusted presence in Anchorage. We were here when we were just a small clinic. We were here through economic booms and downturns, public health emergencies, and times of incredible innovation and growth. And we’ll be here for the next 50 years — because that’s what our community needs and deserves.
The theme of this year’s National Health Center Week is “Celebrating 60 Years of Progress.” It’s a fitting tribute to what health centers have built nationwide: reliable access to care for more than 32.5 million people in communities of all shapes and sizes. That includes tens of thousands of people right here in Anchorage — working families, children, older adults, and individuals who may not have access to care anywhere else.
At ANHC, progress means showing up where we are needed most. It means caring for patients through every chapter of their lives. It means partnering with local organizations, public agencies, and neighbors to remove barriers and improve health — not just in the exam room, but in everyday life.
It also means staying anchored during uncertain times. Community health centers like ANHC are designed to be stable and community-driven. We’re proud to be part of a system that adapts to the moment while remaining rooted in long-standing values: respect, compassion and access for all.
As we celebrate our 50th year, we want to thank those who have been part of our journey — from our earliest staff members to today’s dedicated team of providers, nurses, care coordinators, board members, and support staff. Thank you to our patients, who place their trust in us and remind us why this work matters every day.
We also want to thank our partners — those who help extend our reach and impact through collaboration, support, and shared vision.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come — and we’re just as committed to the road ahead. Because the need to care for our health doesn’t stop when life’s circumstances change. Neither do we.
Health care can feel complicated, but our mission is simple: to care for the people of Anchorage in ways that are welcoming, supportive, and effective. We’ve done that for 50 years — and thanks to this community, we’re ready to keep doing it for the next 50. Happy National Health Center Week.
Celebrate with us
Join us for our Open House on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4951 Business Park Blvd. in Anchorage. Meet our providers and staff, explore our services, connect with local partners, and enjoy food trucks, free snacks, fun activities, giveaways and more. It’s our way of saying thank you to this amazing community.
Lisa D.H. Aquino, MHS, is the CEO of Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, leveraging her background in public health to drive community-focused health care solutions.