IMMEDIATE RELEASE and photo credits by Shelly Williams, Speakin’ Out News photographer
Top Center: At the podium is Rep. Laura Hall, House District 19 and behind her is Oakwood University President, Dr. Leslie N. Pollard; Top Right: Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; Middle Left: Frances Akridge District 2, Council Member; Middle Center: Madison County Commissioner, Violet Edwards, District 6; Middle Right: Chip Cherry, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County; Bottom Left: Drake State Technical & Community College President, Dr. Patricia Sims; Bottom Center: Frank J. Williams, Executive Manager and Managing Partner of Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, Subaru, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo in Huntsville, Alabama, and Subaru of Gallatin, Tennessee. Bottom Right: David Spiller, CEO at Huntsville Hospital Health System.
On June 21, at 10:30 a.m., Oakwood University and Huntsville Hospital will cut the ribbon for the opening of the Oakwood University Community Health Action Center, at the corner of Sparkman Avenue and Bronco Circle.
Huntsville Hospital has leased half of the new facility to establish an ambulatory care clinic. Oakwood students and employees, as well as community residents, will have access to quality care at the walk-in clinic. Establishing this facility will also allow for continuity of care from the walk-in clinic to in-patient care at Huntsville Hospital. The other half of the building will be used for services and outreach through the Community Health Action Center and Mobile Food Pantry to provide health education and healthcare services related to hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and a pathway to job skills, education, and gainful employment.
Since 2015, Oakwood University has operated a nationally-recognized Healthy Campus, Healthy Community initiative seeking to address community needs faced by residents in North Alabama through a collaborative, comprehensive and sustainable community-based approach to food and job insecurity.
“Our community engagement through Service Learning will be concretized in a dedicated space that our community can see, touch, and experience,” said President Leslie Pollard. “I am pleased, that through the efforts of many donors, this state-of-the-art center of influence and service can now serve residents of Northwest Huntsville,” he continued.
“Huntsville Hospital Health System is very pleased to work with Oakwood University in bringing this dream to fruition. The clinic will provide important health services to people throughout this community,” said David Spillers, CEO of HH Health System.
After a brief program, the ribbon will be cut and attendees will be able to tour the Community Health Action Center.