Celebrating Community, Connection, and Care: National Health Center Week at ANHC
For 50 years, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center has been here for our community — through times of growth, times of challenge, and times of uncertainty. This year’s National Health Center Week gave us the opportunity to celebrate that legacy, open our doors, and reaffirm our commitment to being here for the next 50 years and beyond.
Following the National Association of Community Health Centers’ theme days, we honored the past, celebrated the present, and looked toward the future.
A Day of Connection and Discovery
On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, our health center came alive with the energy of more than 100 community members, patients, partners, and friends who joined us for our Open House. The day was filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and experience firsthand what community health looks like under one roof.
Visitors toured our facility, met our dedicated staff, and discovered the many services we offer — from primary care and dental to behavioral health and pharmacy. Our message was simple: ANHC is here for everyone—from mothers and children to elders, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness—and we’re especially committed to serving those experiencing extra barriers to care.
Building Partnerships That Strengthen Community Health
The open house was also a celebration of partnerships. We welcomed People Mover, RurAL CAP’s AmeriCorps Seniors Program, and Food Bank of Alaska as our first-ever community provider tables — sparking important conversations about shaping the future of local transportation, connecting seniors with opportunities to serve their communities, and food security.
Outside, the aroma of Gai & Thai Bowls, Reserva Venezolana, Alaska Bubble Waffles, and Kona Ice food trucks drew in neighbors and passersby, while inside, our new blood pressure screening station offered visitors a quick, free health check.
Moments That Remind Us Why We’re Here
Throughout the day, guests shared why community health matters to them on our Community Wall, signed up as new patients, and left knowing more about how ANHC has been — and will continue to be — a safety net for those with no other healthcare options. Many told us they were looking for a new provider after their previous one retired or stopped accepting Medicare or Medicaid. Hearing their stories reinforced why we do this work and why our mission matters.
Honored by Community and Civid Support
We were honored by visits from Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, State Representative Julie Coulombe, the Mat-Su Health Foundation, the Rasmuson Foundation, and other community partners including the Alaska Literacy Program, State Department of Health, Anchorage School District, Senior Voice, University of Alaska Anchorage College of Health, Anchorage Project Access, Alaska Area Health Education Centers, Alaskan Way, Catholic Social Services, Anchorage Daily News, and many more. These connections opened new doors — from participating in school career fairs to partnering with Senior Voice to provide free publications for patients.
Celebrating the people Who Make It Possible
Later in the week, we celebrated our own team during our Staff & Board Appreciation Lunch on Thursday, August 7, 2025, where senior leaders served a meal from Hula Hands. It was a small but meaningful way to say thank you to the people who make ANHC’s mission possible every day. Special thanks go to the staff and board members who volunteered their time during the week — you helped make this year’s celebration our biggest yet.
Connie’s closet: Extending Care Beyond the Exam Room
We’re also continuing our Connie’s Closet Donation Drive through August, honoring Connie Markis, RN, and the compassionate care she provided to ANHC patients for 36 years. Our patients come from all walks of life, and we’re committed to meeting them where they are, with compassion and dignity.
Connie’s Closet is one way we do that. It provides essential items—like winter boots, hygiene products, and snacks—for neighbors seeking care who may be going without. This National Health Center Week, we’re highlighting the diverse communities we serve and asking for your help in keeping Connie’s Closet full.
Looking Back with Gratitude, Moving Forward with Purpose
National Health Center Week is always a reminder of how much we can accomplish together. It’s about honoring our history, recognizing our present, and committing to our future. This year, the message was clear: Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center has been here for 50 years — and we’re not going anywhere.
Special Thanks to Our Door Prize Donors
We’re grateful to the local businesses who generously donated door prizes for our open house: Alaska Railroad, The Alaska Club, Fly Trampoline Park, Great Harvest Bread Co., Kaladi Brothers Coffee, Moose’s Tooth, Summit Spice and Tea Co., and Arctic Roadrunner. Your contributions brought extra joy to the day and helped make the event a memorable one.
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Together, we can ensure that high-quality, compassionate, and accessible healthcare remains a reality for everyone in Anchorage.