Though Community Health Center of Cape Cod has expanded since its humble beginnings as the Falmouth Free Clinic, the organization continues to honor its roots. During this year’s National Health Center Week, held from August 12-18, CHC announced the dedication of its Outreach and Enrollment Center to its collective founders. Mary Ann Waygan, one of these founders, was additionally honored with the opening of the Mary Ann Waygan Center for Health Access.

CHC is honored to have the support of many founders who volunteered their time and expertise years ago to deliver high quality care for the community’s most vulnerable patients. These founders had a vision to create a free clinic where everyone in the community could receive care and no one would be turned away. This vision has remained the backbone of CHC’s mission. Going forward, when referencing its Outreach and Enrollment Center on the website, brochures, grant applications and more, CHC will do so with the collective dedication to its founders.

“It was a unanimous, and clear, decision to dedicate our Outreach and Enrollment Center to the founders, without whom we wouldn’t be where we are today,” said Karen Gardner, CEO of Community Health Center of Cape Cod. “Along with numerous volunteers, they put in countless hours of patient care and support because they knew there was an underserved community that needed help. This selfless act redefined how our community is able to access medical care. Our appreciation to our founders is immeasurable.”

At the dedication ceremony, CHC also announced the opening of the Mary Ann Waygan Center for Health Access, honoring Waygan’s initial vision that has since grown to three locations and over 15,000 patients. The Mary Ann Waygan Center for Health Access is located in CHC’s Bourne office and will eventually be staffed with three patient engagement specialists. These individuals will be trained to ensure patients receive proper care at the right time and in the right place, based on their unique needs. They will be able to make appointments directly, check on referral status, conduct outreach for missed appointments and more.

For more information about the Health Center, please contact Sydnie Lopolito in the Advancement office at (508) 477-5990 or by email at [email protected].