History

In 1994, Tabernacle Presbyterian Church (Tab), located at 34^th and Central, was challenged to address the health concerns of the surrounding neighborhood. As a result, health care providers, who were also members of Tab, offered free medical care at the newly formed Raphael Health Center with donated medical equipment.

Eventually, the addition of medical staff and an executive director led to the decision to apply for Section 330 Community Health Center Program funding, and Raphael Health Center was awarded Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) status in 2002. An FQHC is a community-based health care provider that receives funds from the Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program. FQHCs provide primary health care services in underserved areas and must meet a stringent set of requirements. This includes providing care on a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay and operating under a governing board that includes patients.

After receiving FQHC status, Raphael Health Center completed a building expansion in February 2005 resulting in additional patient rooms, an administrative area, and six medical providers. A Dental suite was added in September 2006. Most recently, Raphael Health Center expanded again and added a community room, a teaching kitchen, and new exam rooms. Now Raphael Health Center is recognized as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH), providing comprehensive health care integral to ensuring patients have access to all of their medical needs within one location. Services include Primary Care, Dental, Behavioral/Mental Health, Optometry, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), Diabetes Navigation, and Prenatal Care.