Shenandoah community leaders receive Unsung Hero Award

Seated left to right – Mercedes Abbet Martinez, Quality Assurance Manager, Shenandoah Community Health Clinic (SCHC); Clare Matthews, Behavioral Health Team Leader, SCHC; Pam Murphy, Executive Director, SCHC. Standing left to right – Dr. Mark Johnston, Superintendent, Shenandoah County Public Schools (SCPS); Erika Richman, former Assistant Principal at Ashby Lee Elementary. SCPS; Debbie Litten, Student Services Supervisor, SCPS; Richard Koontz, Jr., School Board member, SCPS; Karen Whetzel, Chairperson of the School Board, SCPS.

Woodstock, VA – The Shenandoah Community Health Clinic (Shenandoah County Free Clinic and Shenandoah Dental Clinic) and Shenandoah County Public Schools (SCPS) have received a 2019 Unsung Heroes Award from the Virginia Health Care Foundation. They were recognized for their teamwork in increasing the availability of medical, dental, and counseling services to the students and families of Shenandoah County. Implementing a satellite clinic on the Quicksburg school campus in 2017, Shenandoah South Wellness Center, the effort expanded the following year to supporting professional counselors from Shenandoah Community Health Clinic to provide services at all of the area schools.

Individual nominees from SCPS include Dr. Mark Johnston, Superintendent; Debbie Litten, Student Services Supervisor; Erika Richman, former Assistant Principal at Ashby Lee Elementary; Karen Whetzel, Chairperson of the School Board; and Richard Koontz, Jr., School Board member. Nominees from the Shenandoah Community Health Clinic include Mercedes Abbet Martinez, Quality Assurance Manager; and Clare Matthews, Behavioral Health Team Leader.

“As I hear story after story of the children being helped, I’m so grateful for this partnership that is making such a difference for these kids – and for the adults they will become.” said Pam Murphy executive director, Shenandoah Community Health Clinic.

Shenandoah County has been declared “underserved” by the federal government for dental, medical, and mental health services, meaning that there aren’t enough health providers for the population here. Programs like these are working to fill in those gaps in healthcare services for neighbors in need.

Shenandoah Community Health Clinic provides medical, dental and counseling services to families with Medicaid and other insurances. Sliding scale fees based on family income are available to residents of Shenandoah County. Please call (540) 459-1700 for questions about medical or counseling services, (540) 459-9333 for dental questions.