ALAMOSA — With 1 in 12 people receiving care from community health centers like Valley-Wide Health Systems, the impact of such health care organizations is significant, and the Alamosa city council on Wednesday recognized their contributions in proclaiming National Health Center Week, Aug. 13-19.

Valley-Wide Health Systems Chief Operating Officer Adam Roberts was present for the presentation of the proclamation during the council’s August 16th meeting. He explained that community health centers throughout the nation serve 26 million people, particularly people living in poverty and rural areas like the San Luis Valley. Community health care centers also serve 330,000 veterans throughout the country, Roberts added.

Valley Wide served more than 34,000 patients last year and employs about 375 staff, Roberts said.

“We are happy to serve the community here,” he said.

Alamosa Mayor Josef Lucero read the proclamation for National Health Center Week, which recognized the contributions of community health centers over the past 50 years providing quality affordable care in this country. The services range from oral and vision to preventive care, Lucero said, as well as assisting patients with chronic conditions.

Alamosa City Councilor Kristina Daniel thanked Roberts for Valley Wide’s service to the community and asked about the opening of a clinic in south Alamosa. Roberts said the new clinic will be operational around the end of November and will operate as a fully integrated clinic with the SLV Behavioral Group.

Councilman Ty Coleman thanked Roberts and Valley Wide for serving so many Valley residents and employing such a large number of staff. He also thanked Valley Wide for its part in addressing the opioid problems in the community.

Caption: Alamosa Mayor Josef Lucero, center, presents the National Health Center Week proclamation to Valley-Wide Health Systems Chief Operating Officer Adam Roberts during the August 16 city council meeting. Flanking them from left are Alamosa City Councilors Charles Griego, Liz Thomas Hensley, Jan Vigil, Kristina Daniel and Ty Coleman. Courier photo by Ruth Heide.