KCHC Receives Award to open a Community Health Center in Tinian

Kagman II, Saipan – The KCHC Board and staff are full of excitement after receiving the news that its grant application was awarded to open a community health center new access point in Tinian.

Earlier in January, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) issued a notice of funding opportunity for Health Center Program New Access Points (NAP). It was rumored that over 850 applications were submitted. The applications came from all over the United States, including a couple from the US Affiliated Pacific Island Jurisdictions.

From all of the applications submitted, HRSA awarded $50,050,000 to 77 health centers, each receiving $650,000, to expand access to affordable, accessible, quality, and cost-effective health care services.

KCHC has four (4) months to start providing services, so there is a lot of work ahead.

The KCHC Board Chair Velma Palacios, wants to recognize and thank the team that worked on the grant application, which include, NAP Committee Chair Matthew Gregory, Esq., CEO Vince Castro, Arielle Buyum, Arley Long, Norma Borja, Frances Santos, and Crystal Deleon Guerrero. Also special thanks to Rose Lazaro and Mary Ann Mendiola of Tinian.

The Board Chair would also like to thank Mayor Edwin Aldan of Tinian for his support and looks forward to working with the Tinian community to provide access to primary health services to the island. It has always been part of the KCHC Board’s strategic plan to expand its reach throughout the CNMI to serve our community due to the limited access to health care services.

KCHC will be providing details on the project as it progresses.