Sunshine Community Health Center celebrates ribbon cutting

WILLOW — More than 60 people gathered Aug. 12 for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the site of the new Sunshine Community Health Center on Long Lake Road.

Funders, donors and clients toured the new facility, followed by speeches from executive director Sharon Montagnino and board president Tom Phillips.

Montagnino greeted the crowd and introduced Phillips, who expressed gratitude to the community, funders, donors, USKH architect Jessica Cederberg and contractor, Howdie Construction.

After the ribbon cutting, two plaques were unveiled. One featured the funders and another recognized the donors.

Representatives from funders U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mat-Su Health Foundation and the Rasmuson Foundation then spoke.

Other funding organizations include U.S. Department of Health and Social Services, state of Alaska and the Denali Commission.

The new Willow clinic opened to serve patients on April 16, less than a year after construction began in July 2011.

Community health centers save the national health care system between $9.9 billion and $17.9 billion annually in uncompensated services by providing good preventive care and helping people stay out of emergency rooms.

— Submitted Kathryn Ernst