WNCCHS History:
 

1993, a group of community activists, led by Carlos Gomez, Minnie Jones, and Dr. Polly Ross, formed a non-governmental organization that met the definition of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

April of 1994: Opened the Kenilworth Wellness Center (a day health program for persons with AIDS) at the Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC. 

1995: Received funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act (then Ryan White Care Act), to provide comprehensive HIV medical care to persons living in the seventeen westernmost counties of NC.

 
1996: Opened the Minnie Jones Family Health Center in the Pisgah View Apartments-Buncombe County's largest public housing development.

1998: Inaugurated the Ridgelawn Health Center, a newly built, 4,000 square feet clinic in West Asheville. We opened our services to all persons - regardless of diagnosis.

2002: Obtained designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike.

2007: Obtained designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center funding from HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health Care. 

2010: Entered into a partnership with Buncombe County government to provide comprehensive primary health and oral health care to low-income County residents. Moved into the Minnie Jones Health Center, 257 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC  28801.

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2016: Achieved Patient Center Medical Home certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.  This designation demonstrated WNCCHS commitment to providing high quality primary care for our patients.

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