U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, announced Thursday, that $3,074,309 was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The grant was awarded to help the organization continue providing care to underserved communities.  The Health Center Cluster Grants Program is awarded on a competitive basis to grantees that have demonstrated quality care to their communities.

Rural Health Corporation of NEPA is a health care provider serving rural areas throughout Luzerne and Wyoming counties as well as a clinic for the homeless in Wilkes-Barre. Rural Health Corporation of NEPA was established in the late 1960s, when many small towns faced the loss of medical care as more and more physicians in rural communities moved to or established practices in the region’s cities and suburbs, according to the organization’s website.

At a time when few were interested in a career as country doctors, accessing health care became a hardship for many rural residents without transportation or insurance. To meet the health care needs of the residents of the rural areas of Wyoming and Luzerne counties, concerned citizens and community leaders collaborated with the Federal Office of Health Affairs and Rural Health Corporation of NEPA was formed in 1970.  Between 1971 and 1979, five family practice health centers, three of which continue to also provide dental care, were established in the rural communities of Wyoming and Luzerne counties.

Valley Pediatrics, an office specializing in pediatrics, was also established during this time, and is currently located in the Gateway Shopping Center, Edwardsville, PA.  The McKinney Clinic for the Homeless, was established in 1988.  The clinic is located on East Jackson Street, above the St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen.

Community health centers remain a crucial part of our system, providing everyone with access to affordable, quality care.

Rural Health Corp. of NEPA locations

• Black Creek Health Center and Black Creek Dental, 75 Pineapple St., Nuremberg.
• Monroe-Noxen Health Center and Monroe-Noxen Dental, 2888 SR 29 South, Noxen.
• Freeland Health Center and Freeland Dental, 404 Ridge St., Freeland.
• Exeter Township Health Center, 2795 Sullivan’s Trail, Falls.
• Shickshinny Health Center, 26 N. Main St., Shickshinny.
• Valley Pediatrics, Gateway Shopping Center, Edwardsville.
• McKinney Clinic for the Homeless, 39 E. Jackson St., Wilkes-Barre.

Visit www.rhcnepa.com or call 570-825-8741 for information.