NACHC’s advocacy team is excited to announce the Outstanding Advocate for September 2016, Kelley Pate, 340B Compliance Coordinator for Valley View Health Centers in Ohio. In addition to her work on the 340B drug pricing program, Kelley has devoted extensive time to advocacy through the Community 
Action Committee of Pike County and by organizing events for National Health Center Week.
In her current position, Kelley helps to provide patients with access to affordable prescription medications by ensuring that Valley View Health Centers are compliant with the 340B program. Kelley is proud of the fact that she and the clinical staff at Valley View work together to accomplish their shared goals to increase health awareness, improve primary care services, and develop new innovations in the current medical and legislative environments. It was through her work with the clinical staff, in fact, that she was introduced to NACHC. “When I attended my first NACHC event,” she recalls, “I was hooked.” While attending the Policy and Issues Forum in D.C. this past March, Kelley participated in the Advocacy Leadership Program (ALP). The ALP introduced her to the policy & advocacy side of the Health Center Program and she’s “been riding the wave since March!”
- Congressman Bill Johnson and Kelley Pate
Over the summer, Kelley worked to revamp the planning committee for Valley View’s National Health Center Week events, in an effort to increase participation in the week of celebrations. She took much of what she learned about advocacy strategy and best practices for outreach and brought a number of new ideas to the table. In particular, Kelley reached out to Governor John Kasich’s office and secured a resolution proclaiming August 7th to 13th Health Center Week in the state of Ohio. Putting her advocacy expertise to work on the ground further, she served as lead coordinator for visits with Congressmen Bill Johnson and Brad Wenstrup during events at two of Valley View’s sites. Kelley was able to speak with both Congressmen about the success and accomplishments of Valley View due in part to key Congressional support for program funding and resources.
- Valley View staff and Congressman Brad Wenstrup
She was also able to speak to remaining unmet need in the community, and the ways in which additional dollars would enable Valley View to provide comprehensive dental services, behavioral health services, and substance abuse treatment for their community. To round out NHCW, Kelley also helped organize an open house and ribbon cutting at Valley View’s Waverly location, which she described as “the sexy and crown-jewel event for the week.” Her tireless efforts on NHCW increased Valley View’s participation by 400% from last year!
On top of all of her hard work for National Health Center Week, Kelley also worked to recruit Health Center advocates for the national 100K in 100 Days challenge. Kelley shared that she finds that she gets “real, personal joy” when she helps others; advocacy being central to those feelings. Her work with the Community Action Committee of Pike County, Valley View Health Centers, and NACHC allows this self-proclaimed “legislative nerd” to be involved in both medicine and law, two areas she cares deeply about. Thank you, Kelley, for your dedication to advocacy and the Health Center Movement! Congratulations on being our Outstanding Advocate this September!
Do you know an Outstanding Advocate who deserves this recognition? Let us know! Email Elizabeth Kwasnik at ekwasnik@nachc.org.
