Welcome to Catherine’s Health Center

Catherine’s Health Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center. We provide access to high quality, affordable and compassionate health care for the West Michigan community.

In 1996, we began as a volunteer-run clinic in the Creston neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Since then, we have expanded to provide medical, dental, and behavioral health care at several locations around the Grand Rapids area, including community health centers, school-based health centers, and place-based sites to provide health care to the unhoused. While a lot has changed throughout the years, our commitment to exceptional health care for all has never wavered.

Our Mission

Catherine’s Health Center provides access to high quality, affordable, and compassionate health care to ALL.

Our Vision

A thriving community free of health inequities.

Our Values

Social Justice:

 

  • Quality health care is a human right, and we are charged with providing exceptional patient-centered care to populations who have been systemically disadvantaged.

Compassion:

 

  • Empathy is an understanding of our shared humanity, and humility is the awareness that we can never be competent in someone else’s experiences; compassion is how we act in service to others through empathy and humility. We ask, “What Matters to You?”

Inclusion:

 

  • Everybody regardless of age, gender, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, housing status, disability, faith, education, and race deserves dignified and affirming interactions and care that honor a person’s lived experiences.

Excellence:

 

  • We practice a growth mindset that is solutions and improvement focused. We provide exceptional, patient-centered care and access to the communities we serve. We celebrate wins every day.

Community:

 

  • We achieve community through trusting relationships with colleagues, patients, and partners. Building and creating community in every action we take, decision we make, and supporting those around us.

Accountability:

 

  • We are accountable to each other and our communities by investing in our teams, effectively communicating, meeting our goals, and balancing quality with financial sustainability. We assume best intentions.

Our History

1993

Prompted by concerns over healthcare access, Creston neighborhood organizers discussed the establishment of a health clinic.

1996

St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Alphonsus Parish, and the Creston Neighborhood Association established Catherine’s Care Center. For the first few years, Catherine’s was a volunteer-run clinic in the basement of St. Alphonsus Parish. We offered immunizations, health education, and free screenings for children.

2000

Catherine’s offered our first regularly scheduled physician appointments for free medical services.

2007

Catherine’s Obtained 501(C)(3) nonprofit status.

2009

The Opening Doors campaign began to raise the funds needed to move out of the parish basement. This was also the time we changed our name to “Catherine’s Health Center” to clarify the identity the clarity and focus of the clinic.

2011

After much hard work, dedication, and generous support from donors and volunteers, the Opening Doors Campaign exceeded its goal. Catherine’s relocated from its original basement to a LEED® Gold certified, renovated section of the former St. Alphonsus School.

2014

In light of the Affordable Care Act and Michigan’s Medicaid Expansion, Catherine’s began offering Health Insurance Navigation services in order to enroll qualifying patients and community members in affordable health coverage.

2016

Catherine’s integrated Behavioral Health services into our care team in order to provide holistic care that treats the whole person.

2017

Catherine’s earned designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look Alike.

2018

As part of a grant from the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation, Catherine’s began mentoring other organizations nation-wide on how to start and operate a community-based heart health program.

2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Catherine’s launched telemedicine and on-site COVID-19 testing. Catherine’s earned designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center.

2021

On the day of Catherine’s 25th anniversary, Catherine’s Health Center opened two new clinics in the Grand Rapids area: Catherine’s Health Center at Streams of Hope and Catherine’s Health Center Dental. Our new dental center marked the beginning of dental care at Catherine’s, allowing us to expand access to dental services for our patients.

Who is Catherine?

Catherine’s Health Center is named after Sister Catherine McAuley, an 18th century nun in Ireland who founded the Sisters of Mercy. We are inspired by Catherine McAuley, who trailblazed programs for unhoused women and children and expanded aid for the poor and vulnerable. We are committed to social justice, just like our namesake.

Catherine’s Health Center has historic ties to the Catholic church; however, Catherine’s does not adhere to any specific religious or spiritual teachings. We are not a faith-based organization, but we are faith-friendly where all patients can feel safe and belonging. Catherine’s Health Center is open and affirming to everyone, including all members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

A Patient Centered Medical Home

Catherine’s Health Center is a dedicated Patient Centered Medical Home that practices Team Based Care. This means that you will always be at the center of our care team, and we will always strive to support your whole health.

At Catherine’s, we provide holistic healthcare in a family practice setting. Your primary care provider will be a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, and they will lead your care team. You will be supported by nurses, medical assistants, and the full staff here at Catherine’s. We work together to make sure you can get and stay healthy. We believe science-based evidence is important, so we base our medical decisions on up-to-date research. We hold the highest standard of care for our patients.

Your health is at the center of our care team. Because good health results from an active partnership, we invite you to be a full participant in your care plan.

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