Neighborhood Health Center

01/23/2026

When care meets students where they are, everyone benefits. 🦷💙

We’re grateful to partner with North Clackamas School District to support student health throughout the school year.

01/22/2026

Ever leave an appointment wondering, “Okay… now what?”

When your provider says you need imaging, a specialist, or follow-up care, a whole team jumps into action behind the scenes to make it happen.

In this blog, meet NHC’s Referral Coordinators — the people who handle insurance checks, scheduling, follow-ups, and the not-so-simple parts of getting care outside your regular visit. They help prevent delays, avoid surprise costs, and find options that work for your insurance.

If referrals have ever felt confusing, slow, or stressful, this story explains what’s happening and how NHC helps move things forward.

Read the blog to learn how referral coordinators help you get the care you need, without the runaround:

NHC’s Referral Coordinators help patients navigate referrals, from insurance checks to scheduling care.

01/21/2026

School-based dental care works, and this fall, the impact speaks for itself.

This fall, Neighborhood Health Center’s Community Dental team delivered preventive dental care directly to elementary and middle schools, helping remove barriers to care and connect students to the services they need to stay healthy and ready to learn.

Across eight schools, our team:
🔹Screened 1,009 students
🔹Provided fluoride to 908 students
🔹Placed 319 sealants
🔹Connected 56 students with urgent dental needs to follow-up care
🔹Delivered $158,180 in care (at zero cost to students and schools)

These school-based events support early intervention, reduce avoidable dental emergencies, and strengthen partnerships between healthcare and education.

Grateful for our Community Dental team, school partners, and community collaborators who make this work possible. This is prevention, access, and collaboration in action.

01/20/2026

“Your insurance needs prior authorization.”

If you’ve ever heard this at the pharmacy, you’re not alone.

Prior authorization is an insurance requirement (not a medical decision) and it doesn’t mean your provider made a mistake or that your prescription was denied.

At Neighborhood Health Center, our medical and pharmacy teams work behind the scenes to submit requests, respond to insurance questions, and advocate for your care.

Learn what prior authorization is, why it happens, and how NHC supports you.

Read More: https://bit.ly/Prior_Authorizations

01/20/2026

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and screening plays a big role.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and we sat down with Tove, women’s health and adult/gerontology nurse practitioner at Neighborhood Health Center, to answer common questions about cervical cancer screening and Pap tests.

In this Q&A, Tove explains:
🔹What cervical cancer screening actually is
🔹Who should get screened and how often
🔹What happens during a Pap test
🔹What “abnormal” results really mean (and why they’re usually manageable)

If you’ve ever felt nervous, unsure, or had questions about cervical cancer screening, this is for you. Our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and confident about your care — every step of the way.

Read the full blog to learn more:

Learn what cervical cancer screening is, when to get a Pap test, what to expect, and why screening matters. Answers from an NHC provider.

01/19/2026

Neighborhood Health Center clinics will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, January 20.

Thank you for your understanding as we honor Dr. King’s legacy and his commitment to justice and community.

01/16/2026

Feel fine? That’s exactly why this matters.

A lot of health problems don’t come with warning signs. High blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol can all sneak up quietly—until they’re harder to treat.

In this blog, NHC Family Physician Dr. Emerick explains why annual checkups matter even when nothing feels wrong. From catching issues early to staying up to date on vaccines and mental health check-ins, this visit does more than most people realize.

If you’ve been putting off a checkup because you “feel okay,” this one’s for you.

Read the blog and see why preventive care is one of the simplest ways to protect your future health:

By Carolyn Emerick, Family Physician at NHC Tanasbourne Medical and Dental Clinic Why do I need an annual checkup if I’m not sick? Many people skip their annual checkups because they think they don’t need them. So why do you need to make an appointment if you aren’t feeling sick? Annual checku...

01/15/2026

Looking for reliable health tips, seasonal reminders, and updates from your care team — all in one place?

Our next NHC Connects patient newsletter goes out soon, and it’s designed to support your health through every season of the year.

Inside, you’ll find:
✔️ Preventive care tips
✔️ Seasonal health reminders
✔️ Community resources
✔️ Updates from NHC

Subscribe now to get it delivered straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/Subscribe_NHC

01/13/2026

This time of year can come with a lot of pressure to change everything at once.

But real health doesn’t usually start with big, perfect plans. It starts with one small step—something that feels possible in real life.

Whether that’s scheduling a checkup, taking a short walk, drinking more water, or simply asking a question at your next visit, small steps can add up to meaningful change over time.

We shared a new blog about why small health steps can make a big difference—and how support makes those steps easier to take.

Read more:

Big health changes don’t have to start big. Learn why small health steps work better and how Neighborhood Health Center can support you, one step at a time.

01/08/2026

For nearly 60 years, Sally showed up for people—wherever they were and whatever they needed.

From rural towns and tribal villages to homes, clinics, and finally Neighborhood Health Center, her work was always about the same thing: listening, caring, and being there when it mattered most.

Known to many as “Miss Sally,” she became a steady, comforting presence for patients, families, and coworkers alike—and her impact is felt far beyond the exam room.

Read Sally’s story and learn why community health, public health, and showing up for one another matter now more than ever:

For nearly six decades, community health nurse Sally Loprinzi cared for patients across the country. Read her story and the legacy she leaves at NHC.

01/07/2026

Blood sugar highs? Sudden lows? Or just not sure if what you’re doing is working?

Managing diabetes at home comes with a lot of daily decisions and it’s not always clear which ones matter most. In this blog, NHC Clinical Pharmacist Dr. Abreu shares practical, real-life tips for managing diabetes day to day.

He breaks down the signs of high and low blood sugar, simple habits that support better control, and when it may be time to check in with your care team about medication changes or new tools.

Read the blog for clear guidance you can use right away:

By Dr. Victor Abreu, Clinical Pharmacist at NHC Milwaukie Medical Clinic and NHC Canby Medical and Dental Clinic Sometimes managing diabetes can feel overwhelming. Many people have difficulty keeping their blood sugar levels in check. It’s important to stay on top of daily habits to maintain contr...

01/06/2026

It’s not too late to get your flu shot.

Most adults who are hospitalized with the flu have at least one chronic health condition, like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. If you live with a condition like this, the flu can hit harder and lead to serious complications.

Getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to protect your health, especially during the winter months. It can help keep you out of the hospital and protect the people around you, too.

If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, we’re here to help. Talk with your NHC care team or schedule an appointment today. 💙