Celebrating National Health Center Week

August 7 through 13 is National Health Center Week, and we’re excited to highlight what it means to us here at Cempa Community Care!

The first National Health Center Week was celebrated more than 30 years ago, according to HealthCenterWeek.org. Each year, the week shines a spotlight on health centers across the nation, the first of which was launched in 1965 to bring affordable (or no-cost) care to those who need it. This effort to expand access to care was a component of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society,” a program focused on leveling the playing field for all Americans. The program addressed a wide range of needs, including environmental issues, racial equality, education, and more. But the portion we focus on during National Health Center Week is, of course, our nation’s health centers.

At Cempa, we are proud to be a community health center that connects underserved communities in our area to much-needed care. Our mission is to champion healthy communities by providing affordable, compassionate, and high-quality care through advancing comprehensive support services and person-centered best practices. To achieve that mission, we continue to expand our services to meet community needs. 

Today, we are able to deliver primary care and pharmacy services to all uninsured and insured clients at multiple locations, including our Impact Hub. At the Impact Hub, we also offer these services to our STEP TN clients, as well as help with wound care if needed. Through efforts like these, we aim to provide healthcare to those in the Chattanooga community that may otherwise not have access. 

“We are a non-judgemental organization looking to improve health outcomes in the community,” says Naloni “Loni” Howard, Community Health Care Manager at Cempa. “We have the capability to serve individuals from all walks of life. We are eager to help offer high-quality healthcare to those who need it.”

The Cempa Impact Hub clinic offers a full range of services including primary medical care, women’s health, laboratory services, and health maintenance for preventative care. Impact Hub clients also benefit from partnerships with other organizations operating out of the same building, gaining access to programs and services like the Metropolitan Ministries’ grocery store. 

“We feel it’s important to offer these services in this area, especially because the Rossville Blvd. area has a high rate of health disparities,” Loni says. “Our goal is to draw in residents of this particular community and surrounding communities that need healthcare and have been unable to access it for whatever reason.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from services offered by the Impact Hub, click here for hours, location information, and more.

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Robert Morris

Robert Morris serves as Chief of Staff to the CEO at Cempa Community Care, where he drives organizational alignment, strategic execution, and a mission-driven culture. Since joining Cempa as a Senior Strategic Advisor in June 2025, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future-ready structure, advancing leadership development, and guiding operational transformation. 

Robert brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across healthcare, aerospace and defense, utilities, and nonprofit sectors. His career includes senior roles at the Tennessee Valley Authority, where he served as Senior Strategic Advisor, Director of Communications Operations, and Senior Manager of Nuclear Materials, as well as Vice President of Program Management & Supply Chain at AAR Corporation. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for translating strategy into execution, leading large-scale transformations, and fostering inclusive, high-performing cultures. 

Deeply committed to service, Robert has dedicated his leadership beyond the workplace. He served as Chair of Cempa’s Board of Directors from 2019 to 2025, and has held leadership positions with the American Red Cross, Thrive Alabama, and the City of Huntsville’s Human Relations Commission. He is also a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and currently serves as President-Elect of the Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association. 

Morris earned an Executive Bachelor of Business degree from Faulkner University and has completed executive leadership programs with the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. 

Guided by his personal whyto approach each day with empathy, curiosity, and purpose, cultivating a culture where genuine belonging fuels excellence and empowers everyone to thrive—Robert lives out the Cempa values as a compass for every decision, action, and interaction. Compassion means meeting people with empathy, seeing them fully as they are. Empowerment provides patients and staff with the tools to thrive and grow. Excellence pushes the organization to raise the bar every day. Integrity calls leaders to do the right thing, even when it is difficult. Unity reminds everyone that Cempa is strongest when it stands together. These values are not slogans—they are lived commitments to the community and to every person Robert encounters.