by Joi Wilson

On Wednesday, August 8^th the Alameda Health Consortium and Community Health Center Network hosted our annual Clinic Appreciation Dinner in honor of health center staff during National Community Health Center Week.  Over 300 clinic employees, family, and friends attended the event which recognized the important services that our health centers provide for their communities and the dedication of their staff in providing quality care to their patients.  This year’s celebration honored a record number of awardees; 98 employees from the eight health centers were acknowledged by their clinics’ CEOs for their exceptional service.

The evening’s events were emceed by Sherry Hirota, CEO of Asian Health Services and AHC Board Chair.  Guest speakers Mike Honda, a member of the US House of Representatives, and Herb K. Schultz, Director, Region IX, of the US Department of Health and Human Services, spoke on the critical role of community health centers and about the Affordable Care Act.  For the entertainment portion of the night, AHC and CHCN employees led a Zumba fitness routine to the tune of “Moves Like Jagger,” by Maroon 5, and a whopping 90% of attendees participated in the dance.  The festivities ended with a raffle for clinic employees.  Prizes included a digital camera, an IPOD Shuffle, a $50 gift card to Macys, a $50 gas gift card, and a DVD player.

This year’s Clinic Appreciation Dinner proved to be a huge success thanks, not only to the AHC & CHCN employees who prepared the event, but also to the enormous support and participation of the attendees.  AHC and CHCN employees are already planning for the 2013 celebration to be bigger and better than this year’s.