On January 11, 1972, a group of twenty-four concerned citizens gathered in a local restaurant with the common desire to find a way to alleviate the poor health conditions of people living in the service area.  They voted to create a nonprofit organization known as the North Central Washington Migrant Health Project to address these health care needs.

On April 1, 1972, they received their first grant of $125,000 to serve Grant, Okanogan, Chelan, and Douglas counties.  Early services included screenings by nurses in outreach vans in the orchards and along the roads.   Night clinics were held in borrowed churches and offices by contracting with local physicians..

In the ensuing years, Okanogan and Grant counties became freestanding agencies.  The organization's name was changed to Columbia Valley Community Health and services were expanded with full-time providers and more professional facilities.  In addition to the medical program, the organization added Dental, WIC, and comprehensive maternity support services.

In the summer of 1998, CVCH moved to its current location at 600 Orondo Avenue. Pharmacy, Radiology, and Chronic Disease Management are the most recent service enhancements.  In summer 2001 the Board of Directors voted to expand CVCH clinic services to the Chelan-Manson community.  Services were initiated in October 2001 with a move to a new site at 317 East Johnson Avenue in August 2002.

JCAHO

CVCH is currently accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).  If an individual has any concerns about patient care and safety at CVCH, that CVCH has not addressed, he or she is encouraged to contact CVCH’s management (509) 662-6000 or 1-800-288-7649.  If concerns cannot be resolved, the individual is encouraged to contact the Joint Commission at 1-800-994-6610 or complaint@jcaho.org