Written by Kaitlyn Van Peursem, Digital Communications & Design Specialist
Community health centers across North and South Dakota are celebrating National Health Center Week (NHCW) by shining a spotlight on the people and stories that make them a cornerstone of care in their communities. At the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD), we’re proud to recognize the incredible impact of health centers—and to thank the dedicated teams who make it all possible.
This week, health centers are hosting internal staff appreciation events and celebrations to honor their teams and recognize the life-changing work they do every day. Whether it’s providing care regardless of ability to pay, supporting rural and underserved communities, or fostering a welcoming, whole-person care environment—these centers are more than clinics. They’re lifelines.
To kick off the week’s celebrations, CHAD hosted its first-ever National Health Center Week video premiere event on July 31. More than 50 attendees joined us live to watch the debut of a powerful new video created in partnership with Kickturn Studio in Sioux Falls. The video features voices from across our region—including health center leadership, staff, and patients—offering heartfelt testimonials about why community health centers matter.
Throughout the event, participants shared what they love most about health centers in the chat. From compassionate care to deep community connections, it was clear that the value of these centers goes far beyond medical services.
“Across both Dakotas, our health centers are more than clinics—they are trusted neighbors, care providers, and lifelines,” said Shannon Bacon, Director of External Affairs at CHAD. “This video captures that beautifully.”
Speakers at the event included Brandon Huether, Marketing and Communications Manager at CHAD, Shannon Bacon, and Kaitlyn Van Peursem, Digital Communications and Design Specialist at CHAD. They provided context on the campaign behind the video, which is part of a broader storytelling initiative to raise awareness about community health centers, support workforce recruitment, and encourage patient and board engagement.
The video and accompanying toolkit are available now at https://www.communityhealthcare.net/national-health-center-week-2025/. The page also features a downloadable NHCW member toolkit (including social media template, press release guides, and internal staff communications), links to economic impact reports, governor proclamations from North and South Dakota, and more.
We encourage all health centers to share the video, host a screening, and use the materials to highlight the essential work they do—not just during National Health Center Week, but all year long.
From everyone at CHAD, thank you for your dedication, your resilience, and your compassion. We’re proud to stand with you in celebrating National Health Center Week 2025.
