2025 Health Care Champions Health Care Organization – Midsize: Jordan Valley Community Health Center

When Jordan Valley Community Health Center opened more than 20 years ago, it was a two-room operation with one provider in a Springfield strip mall. Today, JVCHC serves 67,000 patients in a footprint that’s expanded into communities throughout southwest Missouri.

As the largest Federally Qualified Health Center in Missouri, JVCHC’s reach extends into 188 ZIP codes, says Brittany Zachary, JVCHC marketing officer.

“We continue to expand with multiple state-of-the-art facilities in Springfield, Marshfield, Republic, Hollister, Buffalo and Lebanon, driven by the same mission that started it all: to make quality, compassionate health care accessible for everyone, regardless of income or circumstance,” she says. “Its mission ensures that care is truly equitable, reaching rural and underserved populations that often lack access to consistent medical services.”

JVCHC offers medical, dental, behavioral health, optometry, pediatric care and pharmacy services under one roof.

“The integrated model supports whole-person care and helps patients manage complex needs more efficiently,” Zachary says.

In 2024, JVCHC launched the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, which allows seniors to receive care while aging in place.

“The program improves quality of life for older adults and generates new jobs for caregivers, transportation providers and medical staff,” Zachary says. “PACE helps reduce the financial burden on hospitals and long-term care facilities by preventing avoidable hospitalizations and streamlining care, positively affecting public health.”

JVCHC contributes to local economies by employing almost 800 people and placing facilities in areas that are economically challenged, such as downtown Springfield, Zachary says. JVCHC’s paid apprenticeship programs offer a debt-free pathway to dental and medical careers, and the center has launched its Family Medicine Residency program in partnership with CoxHealth. The first two residents were matched in March.

“The program will create 12 residency opportunities for aspiring physicians in Missouri, with a long-term goal of retaining these trained professionals within the state,” Zachary says.

Additionally, JVCHC’s purview includes the youngest community members.

“One of the most powerful examples is its network of school-based health clinics, which provide accessible medical, dental and behavioral health services directly to students,” Zachary says. “By eliminating barriers such as transportation and time off from school or work, these clinics support both student health and academic success.”

JVCHC is a trusted community partner working to improve the Ozarks, she says.

“Jordan Valley’s ability to combine mission, service integration and local investment while scaling effectively positions it as a model for how health care providers can transform lives and communities.”