Health Center News

FHC Kicks Off $500,000 Campaign

By Joel Mercado posted 10-08-2025 11:28

  


The Family Health Centers Inc. has launched a “Give Today, Heal Today” fundraising campaign with a $500,000 goal set. Molina Health Care donated $3,000 to support the FHC’s ICARE Fund during fundraiser kickoff event on Aug. 21. Pictured, left to right, are Johanna Perez, director of member and community engagement at Molina; FHC CEO Dr. Ernest “Stan” Wardlaw; and David Irizarry, senior specialist in growth and community engagement at Molina.
Dionne Gleaton, Reporter, Times and Democrat Newspaper - September 3, 2025 - One of the state’s largest community health centers has launched a half-million-dollar fundraising campaign to be able to continue its mission and offset looming funding cuts.

“Our grants are diminishing, Medicaid cuts are looming and, believe it or not, …. expenses are going up. They’re not going down, and yet the resolve of the team that works at Family Health Center has never been stronger,” said Dr. Ernest “Stan” Wardlaw, FHC’s chief executive officer. 

Wardlaw was among a group of several community members who gathered on Aug. 21 at the FHC’s Training Center in Orangeburg to launch its “Give Today, Heal Today,’ campaign and ICARE Fund. A $500,000 fundraising goal has been set.

“On behalf of the 150 employees at Family Health Center and over 14,000 patients we serve annually with about over 53,000 visits a year, I just want to thank you all for coming,” Wardlaw said.

All donations collected through the campaign will go directly toward the following: providing essential medications to patients who cannot afford them; supporting preventive screenings, mental health screenings and dental care for underserved populations; and assisting uninsured and underinsured individuals in need of care.
The CEO said while Family Health Center has existed as “a beacon of hope and healing” since 1970, the nonprofit organization is anticipating funding challenges ahead. “Our pharmacy revenue actually in 2026 will get cut in terms of Medicaid. We’re looking at probably a 23 percent cut in our pharmacy revenue. That’s just in 2026. In 2027, we’re probably looking at another cut to our pharmacy revenue,” Wardlaw said.

He continued, “We actually thrive and live off of our pharmacy revenue…. We at the community health center, as I always way, are a casualty of war. There is a fight between the pharmaceutical companies, the insurance companies and Congress in terms of who wants the most money.”

“That’s a trickle-down effect that impacts us,” Wardlaw said, noting that the FHC also has a $4 million renovation project that will help the FHC expand its capability to provide pediatric and mental and primary health services.

“We provide mental health counseling with an estimated cost of about $200,000 a year even when funding is scarce. We address food insecurity with donations of food at an estimated cost of $150,000 a year – putting meals on people’s tables that otherwise would go without,” he said.

“Most people will forgo their medications and their health care in order to put food on their table. Family Health Centers is here to ensure that they have that food so that they can take care of themselves,” Wardlaw said.

State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter noted the $38.6 million economic impact the FHC’s current operations had on the community, including $21.1 million in direct health care spending and $17.5 million in community spending.

“This ain’t chump change what we’re doing here. This is real money, real savings for taxpayers. They are not just meeting the needs of uninsured and underinsured people, but making a real difference,” she said.

Also, according to 2023 statistics, the FHC provides 153 health center jobs and 110 other jobs.

Johanna Perez, Senior Specialist for Growth and Community Engagement at Molina Healthcare, was joined by David Irizarry, Senior Specialist for Growth and Community engagement at Molina, in presenting Wardlaw with a $3,000 check to support the campaign.

“Molina Healthcare decided that we wanted to partner with organizations that truly care about our community. This organization has been the example of that,” Perez said.

Irizarry said, “In Latin, the word hero means to serve. With the ICARE Fund, that is what they will continue to do. They’re courageous, they’re strong, they make waves throughout the community. Molina Healthcare will continue to walk with you, boots on the ground.”

Cynthia Zeigler, a longtime FHC patient sand supporter, said the organization is needed.

“Health care is very important for all of us. I don’t care who you are, health care is very important, and there are those who really don’t have the funds to do what they need to do about their own health care,” she said.

Zeigler continued, “It’s either pay the light bill, buy some food or there are other things that top the ladder and health is last. I’m really happy that we’re in this particular event that will support health care, will support Family Health Centers in meeting the medical needs of our community."

Wardlaw later said the fundraising campaign will not just be a “one-shot event” and that there will be more emphasis placed on preventive care and its importance in overall health.

“It’s going to be an ongoing type of thing. Even those that have insurance a lot of times can’t afford the copays,” he said.

“One of the things that we’re trying to do is make sure that we’re being more preventive in the community … and we want to expand our senior program that I’ve established,” Wardlaw said.

To support the ICARE Fund, individuals can donate online at www.myfhc.org or by check payable to Family Health Centers Inc. Checks can be mailed to: Family Health Centers Inc. ICARE FUND, Attention: Finance Department, 3310 Magnolia St., Orangeburg, SC 29115. Individuals can also call 803-531-6952.
 
 
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