The Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) honored United States Senator Tammy Duckworth and Congressman Danny K. Davis for their exemplary leadership and efforts in support of community health centers on Friday, June 10.
Senator Duckworth received the 2022 Distinguished Community Health Center Advocate Award at Friend Family Health Center Inc.’s 5843 S. Western Avenue location on Chicago’s southwest side. IPHCA Chief Executive Officer Ollie Idowu presented the award and thanked the Senator for her longstanding commitment to maternal health, care for veterans and individuals with disabilities as well as her support for health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While I’m grateful for this honor today, I’m most grateful for the work Community Health Centers do every day, and especially everything they’ve done throughout the pandemic,” Duckworth said. “Underserved communities depend on Community Health Centers for affordable, accessible care. I’m proud that with the American Rescue Plan, Democrats and President Biden were able to provide necessary funding to Federally Qualified Health Centers, including for dozens of Community Health Centers across our state.”
Congressman Davis received the 2022 Distinguished Community Health Center Champion Award in recognition of his lifetime of contributions to the health center movement. Davis was a pioneer in the early days of health centers, helping to found one of the nation’s first ever community health centers as well as the organization which would later become the National Association for Community Health Centers. Since then, he has remained a vocal supporter of health centers. The award was presented at Near North Health’s Komed/Holman Center in Chicago as part of the organization’s final day of activities for Men’s Health Week.
The awards were presented by the IPHCA on behalf of their national affiliate, the National Association for Community Health Centers (NACHC). Additional congressional awards will be presented in districts throughout summer.