Every August, community health centers across the country pause to celebrate something remarkable: a 60-year legacy of showing up for the people who need care most.
This year’s National Health Center Week runs August 2-8, 2026, and the theme, Building Innovative Care Where It Matters Most, could not describe Pillar Health and Kenosha Community Health Center (KCHC) any better.
For more than three decades, we’ve been finding new ways to meet patients where they are, whether that’s in a school-based dental chair, a behavioral health session, or a same-day medical visit. Our reach stretches across all of Southeast Wisconsin, from our clinics in the heart of Kenosha to our Silver Lake Clinic, which brings care directly to rural communities west of I-94. This week is our chance to say thank you to the patients, staff, and partners who make that possible.
National Health Center Week is sponsored each August by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) to celebrate and raise awareness of America’s 1,512 community health centers. These centers, and the patients, staff, board members, and supporters behind them, provide quality, comprehensive healthcare to 52 million patients across more than 17,000 communities nationwide. Here in Wisconsin, that network includes more than 200 service delivery sites, brick-and-mortar and school-based alike, serving over 300,000 patients every year.
A Legacy Built on Access
KCHC opened its doors in 1995 with a simple mission: provide high-quality, affordable healthcare to everyone, regardless of income, insurance, or background. In 2022, that mission grew into Pillar Health, a fully integrated, patient-centered model that brings medical, dental, and behavioral health together under one roof.
Today, that commitment shows up in the numbers. In 2025 alone, our team delivered more than 56,600 visits to over 16,700 patients across five clinical sites spanning all of Southeast Wisconsin, from urban Kenosha and Racine to rural communities served by our Silver Lake Clinic. That includes 27,258 dental visits, 19,617 medical visits, and 7,860 mental health visits, up from just 1,681 mental health visits in 2021 as we’ve expanded our behavioral health team.
Innovation Rooted in Community
National Health Center Week’s daily themes give us a roadmap for the kind of care we already provide every day.
Meeting people where they are. Our school-based dental program, the Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile Program, has grown from serving 16 schools to 29, bringing preventive oral health care directly to kids instead of asking families to find their way to us. In-school lead screening, well-child exams, and behavioral health therapy have also expanded, so kids can get more of the care they need without ever leaving the classroom.
Removing barriers, not just treating symptoms. Through case management, insurance enrollment help, and our Sliding Fee Discount Program, we provided more than $2.4 million in discounts last year so cost never stands between a family and the care they need. Our team also helped nearly 980 families enroll in health insurance this past year.
Meeting people where they are, financially. More than 5,180 of our patients live in households below 200% of the federal poverty level, a reminder of just how many families rely on us for care they might otherwise go without.
Speaking our patients’ language, literally. More than 3,400 of our patients are best served in a language other than English, and our multilingual, trauma-informed staff make sure every visit builds trust, not just treats a chart.
Listening to the people we serve. Like every federally qualified health center, our patients hold 51% or more of the seats on our governing board. That’s not a formality. It means the people who use our services help shape how we deliver them.
Thank You to Our Team and Our Patients
None of this happens without the clinical and non-clinical staff who show up every day, and the patients who trust us with their care. On Wednesday, August 5, our leadership team will be hosting a staff appreciation picnic to say thank you to everyone who makes this work possible. During National Health Center Week, we’re also taking time to recognize our patients, along with the hospitals, schools, businesses, and community partners who help us stretch every dollar and every idea further.
Together, we’re building healthier futures across Southeast Wisconsin, one visit at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Health Center Week? National Health Center Week is an annual, national celebration held every August that recognizes the work of America’s Community Health Centers in providing accessible, affordable, high-quality primary care to millions of patients regardless of their ability to pay.
When is National Health Center Week 2026? National Health Center Week 2026 runs from Sunday, August 2 through Saturday, August 8.
What is this year’s National Health Center Week theme? The 2026 theme is “Building Innovative Care Where It Matters Most,” which highlights how community health centers use creativity and commitment to improve access, delivery, and outcomes in primary care.
How is Pillar Health connected to Kenosha Community Health Center? Pillar Health is a division of Kenosha Community Health Center (KCHC). Founded in 1995, KCHC expanded its mission in 2022 with the launch of Pillar Health, a fully integrated, patient-centered model of care serving Kenosha and Racine Counties.
How many people does Pillar Health and KCHC serve? In 2025, Pillar Health and KCHC provided more than 56,600 visits to over 16,700 patients across five clinical sites in Southeast Wisconsin.
How can I support or learn more about Pillar Health? You can learn more about clinic locations, services, and community impact at pillarhealthcare.org, including the organization’s latest Community Impact Report.
