In this issue, we spotlight our partner, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services (YNHS).
“YNHS has always been about going where the need is greatest…” – Don Hinman, YNHS Chairman of the Board.
There is a great need for dental services for underserved populations in the Yakima Valley and other rural areas in the Pacific Northwest, and that is why the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences – School of Dental Medicine (PNWU-SDM) is proud to partner with YNHS to form a community-based dental clinic in Yakima. The clinic will be one of three sites in Washington where PNWU-SDM students will learn dentistry under the guidance of experienced dental educators while providing much-needed services to the community. “The School of Dental Medicine is excited to partner with YNHS in establishing a student clinic in Yakima. The partnership demonstrates the commitment of the school and PNWU to the Yakima community. Our clinic will provide needed oral health care to the underserved in the greater Yakima region,” shared Dr. Fotinos Panagakos, Dean, PNWU-SDM.
YNHS was established in 1975 inside a tiny house on 8th Street in Yakima. Today, YNHS serves more than 23,000 patients with more than 90,000 visits annually. In addition to full-scope primary care at ten sites in urban and rural communities, YNHS provides targeted services for people experiencing homelessness – including 150 units of supportive housing, supportive employment, medical respite care, and a variety of Basic Needs Assistance in partnership with many service providers in Yakima County.
YNHS CEO, Rhonda Hauff, provided some insight in her own words:
“YNHS’ partnerships in the community and across our region have made us a stronger organization over the years. Our mission includes “…providing learning opportunities for students of health professions…”. Our relationship with PNWU offers many great ways to share team-based care. The learning is certainly bi-directional as the students’ questions and experiences add perspectives for our providers; exposure to our interdisciplinary teams inclusive of dentists, behavioral health, pharmacy, community health workers, supportive housing and supported employment specialists, nutritionists and other social service supports provides the students a holistic view of how our populations achieve improved health and self-sufficiency.
Some of the best comments I’ve heard have been from medical students who have spent time with our street outreach team, with a new appreciation of the resilience of the individuals they met while providing health education or first aid and helping bring patients into care. The “compassion connection” draws people to community health centers like ours, and the partnership with PNWU allows us to introduce more students to the difference they can make in these settings – one person at a time.
We are excited about the possibilities to expand our partner reach through the dental school training program. We have seen what an incredible impact improved oral health can have, and we know dental care is often the first item crossed off the family budget when times are tough. The dental training program will be a game changer for our region.”
Rhonda Hauff has been with YNHS since 1983. She is the President-Elect of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (HCH) and serves on several National Association of Community Health Centers committees. Ms. Hauff co-chairs the Yakima County Health Care Coalition, is past chair of the Greater Columbia Accountable Community of Health, and serves as Vice President of the Community Health Plan of Washington, a Medicaid Managed Care Organization. Ms. Hauff has a BA in Community Health from CWU and a Master’s Certificate in Community Health Center Management from George Washington University.
In 2021, Ms. Hauff was honored with National Health Care for the Homeless Council’s Brickner National Leadership Award. Philip W. Brickner was a doctor from the Bronx who made house calls, reviving an old-time medical practice as quality, cost-effective care for the vulnerable. Dr. Brickner’s model of outreach medicine has been adopted by HCH and is utilized by approximately 300 health centers across the U.S.