by S. Rotan Hale
With emphasis on the word celebrate, Vernie Bolden as program MC joyfully handled the proceedings with his personal brand of whimsical patter from beginning to end as New Horizons Healthcare (NHH) held its 15th anniversary celebration
The well-attended affair was held Thursday, Dec. 3 in Charter Hall at Roanoke’s City Market Building. It included informative speakers, healthy food and good music all the right elements that guaranteed the event’s success.
“This is not a time to look sour, because we’ve got some music and we’re ‘gonna’ cut loose,” announced Bolden who is associate pastor at Loudon Avenue Christian Church.
In accordance with his request to “cut loose,” vocalist Jane Powell, backed by David Ferguson, piano and James (JJ) Jackson, drums, opened the first of several sets with “Let the Good Times Roll” and the party was on.
Through prepared remarks, Board Chair Tim Steller gave a brief history of the developmental stages the organization has experienced.
Steller explained that NHH began as Kuumba Community Health and Wellness Center and reported impressive statistics that reflected the organizations progress since its establishment on December 4, 2000.
“By 2015 our staff has grown from 10 to 75, including 19 licensed providers and pharmacists. The numbers served has grown from 2,200 annually to an estimated 10,000 individuals.”
He also cited several additional services provided regarding insurance enrollment plans, medical and behavioral health consultation, a pharmacy, the addition of a dental unit and others.
“One thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to serving others with affordable, accessible and high quality comprehensive healthcare.”
Expressing her heartfelt gratitude to many patients and clients, NNH CEO Eileen Lepro said, “You entrust us to care for you and your families which is our privilege and our joy. We hope that we can continue to meet your needs for many years ahead.”
A video presentation featured photos from the organization’s beginning in the basement of Loudon Ave. Christian Church. The images chronicled the organization’s path to the Valley View Mall location–on to its present multi-million dollar facility on Melrose Ave. in northwest.
Rev. William Lee NHH founder, former chair and present board member spoke of how the initial intent of the original organizers was to assist the existing healthcare facilities–not build anything new.
“However the more we looked at it, we realized that there was not a doctors office in northwest…which was surprising,” said Rev. Lee.
Lee took special care to recognize others critical in the developmental stages of the initiative as LACC members Linda Manns, and Eva Hughes. He also mentioned Jim Sicamous, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare and Molly Rutledge, dir. Roanoke City Health Dept. “Without Molly we wouldn’t be sitting here today celebrating this facility,” said Lee.
Lee told of the incredible assistance of Karen Northrop of Damascus, VA, who came, virtually lived in a converted office at the church and wrote the first grant securing over $300,000 to open a healthcare center.
The center was housed in two trailers on a lot that is now the present location.
Through a lot of collaboration and connections, several years later, a $10.6-million grant was secured and the ribbon was cut December 4, 2012 opening the state-of-the-art facility.
“I love seeing my name Bill Lee but ultimately it is a whole lot of people that make up this story.”
Through all the uphill battles Rev. Lee, trusting the “Creator” always insisted, “it was a God thing.” In closing remarks he praised Lepro as “the best person we could have had on our team.”
