Association of Clinicians for the Underserved

ACU's 2025 Behavioral Health Leadership Forum has begun! We're excited to convene today with leaders from across the country at #ACUConf. As Clare McNutt of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute noted, "CHCs are providing some of the most innovative behavioral health efforts in the U.S."

"So many clinicians still don't know what to say when a patient tells them they're at risk for suicide." We need to change that, both in individual practice and organizational planning. - Dr. Virna Little of Concert Health presents to a packed room at #ACUConf's Behavioral Health Leadership Forum.

Today's workshops have concluded, but #ACUConf isn't over yet! ACU advocates are now preparing to speak with legislators on Capitol Hill tomorrow to highlight the vital need for expanded funding for the NHSC, and behavioral health clinicians will convene at our Forum. We'll see you then! #NHCW25

"You continue to do incredible work every day. We're so grateful to you all for joining us, & we hope you'll leave feeling energized to keep going. We're here to help. We do this work because of you, and we know we'll succeed together." - ACU CEO Amanda Pears Kelly closes the second day of #ACUConf.

“Clarity is kind.” Creating a shared understanding with psychological safety & clear expectations for employees is crucial to good management in the healthcare workforce. April Lewis, Dir. of ACU’s National Center for Workforce Development & Training, presents a masterclass in supervision. #ACUConf

"Health centers are celebrating their sixtieth anniversary this year . . . and it's staff that make that work possible. Thank you for all that you do." - BPHC Associate Administrator Jim Macrae encourages attendees to celebrate our CHC community's achievements—and their own—at #NHCW25 at #ACUConf.

"Your collective impact is being felt across the country." Over 32M people received care at #CHCs in 2024, including 1 in 5 people in rural communities and 1 in 15 people aged 65 or older. Over 310,000 staff are working at CHCs. - BPHC's Jim Macrae at #ACUConf. #NHCW25

We're honored to welcome James (Jim) Macrae, Associate Administrator of HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health Care, at #ACUConf. Thank you for your tireless leadership and partnership with our health center community. #NHCW25

Early screening for cognitive impairment is critical & can play a crucial role in reducing inequalities in detection and care for dementia. UCSF's Dr. Anna Chodos presents on strategies to improve dementia care, collaborate with caregivers, and screen for legal/financial planning needs at #ACUConf.

So many rich discussions in today's roundtables and poster presentations at #ACUConf. Thank you to the clinical and non-clinical professionals, students, and advocates who shared their expertise in today's sessions.

Honored to welcome Dr. Jim Hotz, Dr. Sheena Favors, and Shelley Spires of Albany Area Primary Health Care & Prasad Bhalerao of Publicis Sapient for a panel exploring the stories chronicled in Doc Albany, a film illustrating the impact of rural healthcare on clinicians and patients alike at #ACUConf.

Doc Albany is "more than a film. It's a window into a community." - ACU CEO Amanda Pears Kelly introduces a screening of Doc Albany by Academy Award-winning documentarian Ben Proudfoot at #ACUConf. Excited to view the film and witness the dual stories of AAPHC's Dr. Jim Hotz and Dr. Sheena Favors.

As we convene today in D.C. at #ACUConf, we'd like to thank our generous sponsors: Centene, The Inline Group, Ascend Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare, Pfizer, CHCollective, On Belay Health Solutions, Corporate Transcendence, AT Still University, Mission Mobile Medical, & Vital Interaction.

Educational sessions have begun at #ACUConf! In a packed session, Molly Grady of Advocates for Community Health, helps attendees unpack how recent legislation impacting #Medicaid such as HR1 will reshape how underserved communities receive care, and how health centers can respond.

#medicaidmatters

As #ACUConf continues, viral comedian, award-winning musician, and storyteller Rory Gardiner discusses resilience, humor, and becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable at ACU's 2025 Conference.

"You can't provide healthcare without the people behind it." But "how can we implement technology to support staff workloads and allow them . . . to focus on the mission of providing care?" - Dr. Candice Chen, head of HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce discusses the promise of health IT at #ACUConf.

The National Health Service Corps has played a crucial role in connecting clinicians with underserved communities, but more clinicians are ready to answer the call than current funding allows. Dr. Candice Chen, Assoc. Administrator of HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce discusses the NHSC at #ACUConf.

ACU Board Member Dr. Adrian Billings welcomes Dr. Candice Chen, Associate Administrator of HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce, on ACU's behalf at #ACUConf. Honored to have Dr. Chen with us to help kick off today's proceedings.

"I want to thank you, ACU, for all that you do, and we look forward to continuing to work with you." - Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Tom Engels concludes an address packed with updates on federal workforce and healthcare initiatives at #ACUConf. #NHCW25

CHC had countless achievements in 2024, including providing care to >32 million patients. "Behind these many achievements are people." - HRSA Administrator Tom Engels describes how "healthcare professionals and leaders are at the center of all that we're trying to do" at HRSA at #ACUConf.

ACU is honored to welcome Tom Engels, HRSA Admin. to kick off #ACUConf with federal updates—and gratitude for our CHC community. "Even if you can't meet all of them, there are people over all this country thanking you for all that you do, and the help that you provide to their families." #NHCW25

"ACU is about fellowship." And ACU's Conferences are celebrations of a singular community doing incredible work. "The conversations had here will help lead to real healthcare solutions back home" for our communities. - Amanda Pears Kelly, CEO of ACU, opens the first general session of #ACUConf.

As our CHC community celebrates the clinical and non-clinical professionals that make our shared work possible, we’re celebrating our transdisciplinary community in-person at #ACUConf. As #NHCW25 continues on Staff Appreciation Day, let us say simply: thanks for all that you do.

#ACUConf’s first Main Conference day is here! Keynote addresses from HRSA’s Tom Engels and BHW’s Dr. Candice Chen–as well as numerous educational sessions–will begin soon. Stay tuned for live updates as the day unfolds!

Compassionate leadership is vital to fostering trust and engagement in the healthcare workforce, and it begins with individuals: "If not you, then who?" Fellow of ACU Lisa Skinner, MHSA, BSN, BA, RN presents in today's Pre-Conference Workshop at #ACUConf on how to create a culture of compassion.

🎈 Medicaid and CHCs both celebrate 60 years in 2025.
Read, How Medicaid Built Community Health Centers And Health Centers Returned The Favor in Health Affairs Forefront: www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...

On Medicaid’s 60th anniversary, the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill' threatens access to care As we mark the 60th anniversary of Medicaid’s founding on July 30, we should be celebrating one of the most transformative programs in history.

"As we reflect on Medicaid’s 6 decades of impact, let’s reaffirm what this program stands for: Access to healthcare for those who need it." Dr. Felix Nuñez, chair of ACU's Policy & Advocacy Ctte., reflects in the Ventura County Star on challenges posed by recent legislation & why #MedicaidMatters.

ACU would like to thank the sponsors of our 2025 Conference: Centene, The Inline Group, Ascend Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare, Pfizer, CHCollective, On Belay Health Solutions, Corporate Transcendence, AT Still University, Mission Mobile Medical, & Vital Interaction. Thank you for supporting #ACUConf!

The 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' Now Law, Does Not Protect Rural Hospitals | Health Affairs Forefront The OBBBA's Rural Health Transformation Program has been described as a rural hospital fund, but given how the program is actually structured and designed, this is clearly a misnomer.

ICYMI: "Clearly, the time-limited Rural Health Transformation Program will not close the gap for rural hospitals created by the unprecedented, permanent Medicaid cuts in the new law," states former HRSA Admin. Carole Johnson in a Health Affairs analysis. Learn more: bit.ly/4o3jCT4

#ACUConf is six days away! Are you registered? Sign up NOW to join us in D.C. on Aug. 3-6( bit.ly/45hwBsV) for:
🎤 Keynote speeches from public health leaders
📽️ A screening of Doc Albany from Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot
📝 20+ workshops to enhance your practice & advocacy
👥 Networking & more