A Prescription for Change
When a trusted neighborhood pharmacy grows into a regional health network, something bigger than medicine is happening. That is what is now taking shape at Faith Community Health Network. After more than two decades as a vital source of free medications for Northern Kentuckians in need, the nonprofit is stepping into a new chapter of impact and reach.
This new chapter includes a new name, a broader mission, and the opening of a free health clinic in March 2026 at 601 Washington Avenue in Newport. It is more than a change in location. It is a shift in how the region delivers care to those who need it most.
A Trusted Resource Becomes a Regional Anchor
Since 2002, the organization, previously known as Faith Community Pharmacy, has filled more than 650,000 prescriptions valued at over 70 million dollars. More than 10,800 Northern Kentucky residents have received medication they could not otherwise afford. That record of service built trust and stability for families across the region.
The organization is now expanding its mission to match the scale of the need. It will continue to provide pharmacy services while launching the Faith Community Clinic, a full-time clinic that will provide primary care, urgent care, preventive services, lab testing, and access to acute medications at no cost to patients.
The clinic will operate in partnership with University of Kentucky College of Medicine Northern Kentucky. Physicians, medical students, and community volunteers will work together under one roof to deliver coordinated care that connects medical treatment and medication access in one place.
Meeting a Critical Regional Need
This expansion comes at a time of rising healthcare gaps in the region. More than 5.7 percent of Northern Kentucky residents, between 18,000 and 25,000 people, currently live without health insurance. That number is expected to rise to nearly 10 percent by 2027. Many of these residents delay treatment, skip appointments, or end up in the emergency room for basic care.
By combining primary care and pharmacy services in one location, Faith Community Health Network is creating a safety net that is structured, local, and trusted. It is a practical solution that supports patients and relieves pressure on the larger healthcare system.
“For years, we have provided the medications that keep people alive and healthy,” said Aaron Broomall, Executive Director of Faith Community Health Network. “Now, we are expanding that mission to ensure they have access to the care that prevents illness in the first place.”
Reducing Strain on Hospitals and Emergency Rooms
Emergency departments in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky often serve uninsured patients with conditions that could have been managed earlier in a primary care setting. When patients have free access to preventive and urgent care, those emergency visits decrease. Hospitals can focus on true emergencies. Patients avoid medical debt and unnecessary complications.
The result is a more balanced and sustainable healthcare system. Faith Community Health Network is playing a key role in making that possible.
Strengthening Public Health Across the Region
Better access to primary care does not just help individuals. It improves the health of entire communities. A clinic that offers preventive care and urgent care can increase vaccination rates, support early diagnosis of chronic conditions, and reduce the spread of infectious diseases. These public health benefits create a healthier workforce and a more stable economy.
Faith Community Health Network’s approach aligns with broader goals to create healthier communities on both sides of the river. What starts in Newport can ripple through the entire Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Building Trust and Equity
Uninsured and underinsured populations often face barriers that go beyond cost. Language, transportation, and mistrust can keep them from seeking help. A community-based clinic that operates with dignity and compassion can help rebuild that trust.
Faith Community Health Network has long been a place where people are treated with respect. By expanding services, it can reach deeper into neighborhoods and serve populations that might otherwise go unseen.
A Model for Regional Collaboration
Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are linked by more than bridges. Patients, providers, and employers move between both sides of the river every day. Faith Community Health Network is positioned to serve as a model of cross-river collaboration. By working with academic partners, medical professionals, and volunteers, the clinic can set a standard for how community-centered care can operate in a regional healthcare ecosystem.
Economic Impact Beyond the Clinic Walls
When people can access affordable care, they are more likely to stay healthy and employed. Fewer missed workdays mean more stable households. Lower hospital costs can help reduce the pressure on insurance premiums and public subsidies. Healthier communities support a stronger regional economy.
A free clinic is not only a public health investment. It is an economic one.
A Community Effort That Builds Resilience
The expansion of Faith Community Health Network also invites the public to be part of the solution. Physicians, medical students, and volunteers will play a hands-on role. Donors can support the “Caring Beyond Barriers” capital campaign, which will fund construction, equipment, and operations for the new clinic.
This type of civic engagement builds resilience. It ensures that the entire community shares responsibility for creating a healthier future.
A Healthier Region, One Patient at a Time
The story of Faith Community Health Network is a story of steady growth rooted in trust. What began as a pharmacy serving Northern Kentucky is becoming a health network that can shape outcomes for an entire region.
Accessible care means healthier people. Healthier people build stronger communities. Stronger communities create lasting change.
To learn more about Faith Community Health Network or to support the “Caring Beyond Barriers” campaign, visit fchealthnetwork.org.