HopeHealth has again been named a Gold Level Advocacy Center of Excellence by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), one of only three Community Health Centers in South Carolina to earn this status.

HopeHealth has been an Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) since 2016 and has earned and maintained Gold Level status since 2018. HopeHealth was the first Community Health Center in South Carolina to achieve ACE status, and the 22nd center in the country to achieve Gold status.

The ACE program recognizes and rewards Community Health Centers that demonstrate excellence in formalizing their advocacy program to make it an integral, institutional part of their health center operations. These Community Health Centers create a culture of advocacy to ensure policymakers at all levels of government commit to investing in the affordable, equitable, and innovative care they provide.

To achieve Gold ACE Status, organizations must earn at least 75 points by completing advocacy-related initiatives. These include securing 100 percent staff and board participation as health center advocates, participating in civic engagement efforts, and establishing an advocacy committee.

In a letter notifying HopeHealth of its renewed Gold status, Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, President & CEO of NACHC, stated, “Earning Gold ACE status requires serious dedication and prioritization of advocacy at your health center. Your organization is now part of an elite group that serves as an example to other Community Health Centers striving to achieve advocacy excellence. The amount of effort and time needed to achieve this requires hardworking, engaged staff and supportive leadership – two pieces of the puzzle necessary for a successful and robust advocacy program – both of which you have demonstrated.”

HopeHealth’s mission relies on strong support from our communities and elected officials. Visit hcadvocacy.org to sign up to become a health center advocate.