FHC recognizes Baird, Guzman-Cortes, Dowers

PATEROS – Family Health Centers (FHC) honored three South Okanogan County community leaders on August 14 with a ceremony in Columbia Cove Park. The award recipients were Patricia Baird of Pateros, Marlen Guzman-Cortes of Brewster, and Gene Dowers of Pateros.

Dowers is executive director of the Pateros-Brewster Community Resource Center. Guzman-Cortes is a Migrant Student Advocate, PAC Coordinator and District Translator for Brewster schools. Baird volunteers at Pateros school, Apple Pie Jamboree, and the American Legion Columbia Post 97.

 FHC CEO Jesus Hernandez said FHC has two purposes in presenting the awards. In conjunction with National Health Center Week, or month in FHC’s case.

“We celebrate the great "community-focused" work that community health centers do here and across the country to insure access to healthcare for everyone...from the wealthiest person to the least fortunate who might not have the ability to pay for their healthcare,” said Hernandez. “We seek to raise awareness so that people don't go without access to care regardless of their financial health.”

Hernandez said the second purpose is a local one.

.  “We want to "celebrate what we want more of" ...community minded leaders that make notable contributions to improve the quality of life and future of our communities,” said Hernandez. “Every year we invite community members to help identify and nominate leaders in their respective communities for their leadership in making good things happen.”