Southern Nevada Community Health Center celebrates National Health Center Week Aug. 3-9
Improving access to care and strengthening public health in Southern Nevada
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 4, 2025
LAS VEGAS — The Southern Nevada Community Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operated by the Southern Nevada Health District, joins health centers across the country in recognizing National Health Center Week from August 3-9. The annual observance highlights the essential role community health centers play in improving access to affordable, high-quality health care for underserved populations.
Community health centers play a vital role in the U.S. health care system, delivering care to more than 32.5 million people nationwide. This includes 419,000 veterans, one in eight children, 1.4 million people experiencing homelessness and 3.8 million seniors. Today, one in 10 Americans receives care at a health center. Of those patients, 18% are uninsured and 50% are insured by Medicaid. Community health centers are innovators and problem solvers that improve health outcomes in medically underserved communities by reaching people excluded from the conventional health care system. The Southern Nevada Community Health Center continues to meet those needs through expanded services, improved access and a commitment to patient-centered care.
“Health centers like ours are more than just places to receive care—they are trusted partners in building healthier communities,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Health District. “We are proud to support patients in every stage of life and to be a safety net for those who might otherwise go without care.”
Client Giveaways
As part of National Health Center Week, the Southern Nevada Community Health Center will host events to engage the community and recognize patients and staff. Giveaways will be available for patients while supplies last at both Community Health Center locations:
- Southern Nevada Community Health Center (Main site): 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107
- Fremont Public Health Center: 2380 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104
Booster Seat Giveaway Event
On Wednesday, August 6, from 9 to 11 a.m., the Fremont Public Health Center will host a back-to-school booster seat event. A media availability will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. during the event.
The event will raise awareness about Nevada’s booster seat law, which requires children to remain in booster seats until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall. While many children outgrow a car seat by age 4, most are not tall enough for a seat belt alone until at least the third grade. Booster seats will be available for free while supplies last, and certified car seat technicians will be on site to help families understand when it is safe to transition from a booster seat to a seat belt.
The event is supported by the Healthy Living Institute at UMC, Car Seats for Christy – founded in memory of a child killed in a crash more than 20 years ago – and Safe Kids Clark County, which has led statewide car seat
safety efforts for more than three decades. A limited supply of childhood vaccines will also be available for children ages 4 to 6, who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid, on a first-come, first-served basis.
“National Health Center Week is a time to recognize the patients we served and the dedicated team working every day to remove barriers to care,” said Randy Smith, FQHC Chief Executive Officer for the Health District. “Our health centers play a vital role in protecting and promoting the health of our communities, and we remain committed to delivering inclusive, compassionate and high-quality care.”
About the Southern Nevada Community Health Center
The Health District operates two FQHC locations: the Southern Nevada Community Health Center at its main site on Decatur Boulevard and the Fremont Public Health Center. Together they offer services including primary care, family planning, comprehensive HIV care through the Ryan White Program, behavioral health, sexual health, refugee health, pharmacy, telehealth and enabling services. In 2024, the Community Health Centers served 11,501 patients with 29,574 total patient encounters, and 55.13% of visits were provided to uninsured patients. To ensure care remains accessible, services are offered on a sliding fee scale that adjusts costs based on income and federal poverty levels. In 2024, the sliding fee scale saved patients more than $4.8 million on health care costs, ensuring no one was turned away due to an inability to pay.
As part of its ongoing efforts to meet community needs, the Southern Nevada Community Health Center expanded its behavioral health clinic at the Decatur location over the past year. The clinic now provides therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management and substance use counseling, with services offered in person and via telehealth. It also recently launched a support group for people living with HIV who receive care through the Ryan White Program. Last fiscal year, the number of behavioral health visits increased by 39%. In 2024, the Health Center served 546 patients through its behavioral health services, reflecting the growing demand for accessible mental health care in Southern Nevada.
For more information about the Southern Nevada Community Health Center, go to www.snchc.org. For information about National Health Center Week, visit https://healthcenterweek.org/about-nhcw/.
The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.