Facts and Figures
Overview
- The Providence Community Health Centers (PCHC) is the only Federally Qualified Heath Center (FQHC) in Providence, Rhode Island. Providence is the third largest city in New England, and PCHC currently serves almost one in four city residents. Rhode Island does not have any county or city health departments, and our state health department does not offer any direct patient care services. Rhode Island does not have an official “City” Hospital.
- PCHC employs 500 full-time and part-time employees who are highly skilled, compassionate, and committed to improving the health status of the community.
- PCHC is a leading economic engine in Providence, contributing to the city’s economy and community redevelopment; while also providing substantial employment opportunities to local residents, many of whom come from the communities in which the health centers are located.
- Only 13% of the Providence Community Health Centers’ budget comes from Federal 330 grant support, and PCHC receives no direct financial support from the City of Providence.
Population Served
- Since 1968, PCHC has been responding to the health care needs of the Providence community, helping to serve entire families.
- PCHC services patients from all across the City of Providence and surrounding communities.
- PCHC provides healthcare services to almost 85,000 patients. Approximately 28% of our patients are under the age of 18 while 90% of our patients are at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
PCHC Growth
- Over the last 15 years, PCHC has opened new health centers on Prairie Avenue, Broad Street, Randall Square, and Atwood Avenue, while expanding two existing sites and building a new adult dental clinic in 2024.
- During that time, PCHC has launched new specialty care services our patients often struggle to access. Among the services PCHC has added: Adult Dental, Rheumatology, Optometry, Podiatry, Express Care, and Integrated Behavioral Health. This is in addition to significantly expanding existing services like Asthma/Allergy and Pediatric Dentistry.
- PCHC’s annual patient encounters over the past 15 years have grown by 83%, from 142,605 to 261,082.
- Since 2009, the number of patients served by Providence Community Health Centers has grown by 82%, from 35,291 to 64,499.
- Over the last several years, our pediatric dental program expanded from 18 to 22 dental chairs. In 2024, we built a new adult dental clinic, a $2.5 million investment in community oral health that includes nine operatories, an on-site laboratory, and x-ray capabilities.
Collaborations
- PCHC works hand in hand with the Rhode Island Health Center Association on issues affecting health centers statewide as well as federally.
- PCHC has a strong relationship with The Providence Center, the largest behavioral health center in the State.
- PCHC works with local hospitals to give our patients a strong continuum of care.
- PCHC is a member of, and works with, the National Association of Community Health Centers.
- PCHC participates in a Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) with our partners at Health Choice Network in Florida.
Local Board Control
- PCHC is governed by a local Board of Directors, of which over 51% are patients of PCHC.
- While PCHC does collaborate with State and local agencies, hospitals and community partners, PCHC’s Board of Directors is the entity that is entirely responsible for the organization’s overall operation, management, and control.
Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- In the fall of 2013, the Providence Community Health Centers had a team of “navigators” assisting the community with enrollment and obtaining health insurance through the ACA which began across the nation in January 2014. Through education and outreach efforts, PCHC has led the State in enrolling and assisting patients, and continues to play a major role in the community.