History of Charles Drew Health Center
Our Lifelong Mission to Care
Driven by our mission to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare in a manner that acknowledges the dignity of the individual, the strength of the family and the supportive network of the community, the Charles Drew Health Center is committed to being the primary care provider of choice. We continue to enhance our efforts to provide targeted healthcare services that eliminate health disparities, improve health outcomes, and promote health literacy among the individuals and families that proudly call Charles Drew Health Center their medical home.
1960s & 70s
The availability of medical services in North Omaha began to decline. Read more about the history of healthcare in North Omaha.
1980s
A group of community activists came together to address healthcare access for families in in the north and northeast areas of Omaha.
![Grainy image from the 1980s of the Omaha skyline.](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/80s-Omaha-Skyline-.png)
Omaha Skyline © Melinda Simonsen
1983
We received a federal grant to become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and chose the name Charles Drew Health Center, after Dr. Charles Drew, a pioneer in the field of blood research. Our first permanent location was a converted laundromat at 2201 North 30th Street. Former Senator J. Robert Kerrey and Congressman Peter Hoagland were instrumental in securing federal funding to renovate the building and convert it into a viable health center.
![A group of young children gather round as the ribbon is cut.](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/83-Ribbon-Cutting.png)
Ribbon Cutting
![Black and white headshot of Dr. Charles Drew](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/83-Dr.-Charles-Drew.png)
Dr. Charles Drew
1983
That same year, Robert Patterson was named the Executive Director of CDHC.
![Black and white headshot of Robert Patterson](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/83-Robert-Patterson.png)
Robert Patterson
1985
We began offering Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services.
![WIC logo](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/85-WIC-v2.png)
WIC Logo
1988
We added homeless healthcare services.
![](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/88-Homeless-Healthcare.png)
Homeless Healthcare
1992
We broke ground on our location at 2915 Grant Street, completing construction in 1993.
![A group of diverse individuals watch as two men holding shovels begin digging into the ground at a groundbreaking event.](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/92-Ground-breaking.png)
Groundbreaking at 2915 Grant Street
1993
We established our pharmacy department.
![](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/93-Pharmacy.png)
1994
We added dental care to our growing list of services.
![](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/94-Dental.png)
2000
We received accreditation from the Joint Commission
![The Joint Commission logo](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2000-The-Joint-Commission.png)
2001
Richard L. Brown, PhD, FACHE was named our Chief Executive Officer.
![An African American man stands in a white shirt and tie in front of Charles Drew Health Center.](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2001-Richard-L-Brown.png)
Richard L. Brown, PhD, FACHE Courtesy of Centris Federal Credit Union.
2003
We introduced Behavioral Health Services, and added our Fathers for a Lifetime program.
![Fathers for a Lifetime logo](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2003-Fathers-for-a-Lifetime.png)
2004
We added Language Access and translation services.
![](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2004-Language-Access.png)
2007
Expanding our Grant Street location, we added 13,500 square feet, doubling the number of exam rooms, creating space for Omaha Healthy Start, and expanding the pharmacy and laboratory areas.
![Construction during the expansion of the Grant Street location.](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2007-Grant-Street.png)
Expanding our Grant Street Location
![Omaha Healthy Start logo](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2007-Healthy-Start.png)
2012
By the end of 2012, we added four School-Based Health Centers to serve students in Omaha.
![SBHC logo](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2012-SBHC.png)
2013
We opened four locations serving tenants living in Omaha Housing Authority facilities.
![Evans Tower housing development.](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2013-Evans-Tower.png)
Evans Tower
2014
Kenny D. McMorris, MPA, FACHE, CHCEF, was named our Chief Executive Officer.
![Headshot of Kenny D. McMorris.](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2014-Kenny-McMorris.png)
Kenny D. McMorris, MPA, FACHE, CHCEF
2015
We debuted the Tooth-Mobile, and added pediatric dental services.
![Tooth Mobile ribbon cutting.](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2015-Tooth-Mobile.png)
Tooth-Mobile
2019
We opened our 30 Metro clinic location, and planted our first community garden.
![30 Metro Ribbon Cutting](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2019-30-Metro.png)
30 Metro Ribbon Cutting
2022
We opened a new location in downtown Benson, which focuses on providing care to teens and young adults.
![Benson Clinic Ribbon Cutting](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-Benson.png)
Benson Clinic Ribbon Cutting
2023
We opened two new locations at RADIUS Omaha and the Highlander Accelerator building.
![](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Radius-web.jpg)
![](https://charlesdrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_3420-web-768x512.jpg)