July 2024 marks the anniversary of the merger of Gateway Community Health, formerly known as Upper Hume Community Health, and Ovens and King Community Health.
The service is marking the milestone with a refresh of its six-year Strategic Plan and a series of stories from past and present board members and staff, reflecting on the merger and the impact of community health in the region.
Upper Hume Community Health Service, which became Gateway Community Health Service, had a small geographic footprint, servicing Wodonga with limited outreach to Corryong and Mt Beauty.
Ovens and King Community Health Service, which formed in 1994 with an amalgamation of the King Valley and Ovens-Alpine community health services, operated out of Wangaratta with centres in Myrtleford, Bright and Benalla as well servicing smaller towns like Moyhu and Whitfield.
Today, Gateway Health services a catchment of more than 170,000 rural and regional people across 12 local government areas. It employs more than 400 staff across multiple sites, providing more than 87,000 hours of health and wellbeing services.
Gateway Health CEO Trent Dean said the organisation’s strength was in its amazing staff and deep connections to the communities it serves.
“Our people are our greatest asset and our ability to adapt to changing environments, to changes in technology and to meet the needs of the community holds us in good stead as we consider the next decade to come and beyond,” Mr Dean said.
“One of our longest-serving team members has been with the service for 29 years and has been instrumental in the changing technology around health information and ensuring that our decisions are informed by the regional data.
“Hearing from our board members, too, of their admiration for our staff and what they do in the community every day, tells me that the organisation will continue to make a real difference.
“And with a refresh of the strategic plan, in consultation with our board and senior staff, means we have a solid blueprint to guide our growth and development.
“We need to continually improve our services and diversify our offerings to ensure we are sustainable and able to meet the needs of those at highest risk of poor health outcomes.”
The anniversary was celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony to launch the new Strategic Plan which is now available on the organisation’s website.
Gateway Health is a charitable, not-for-profit community health organisation providing affordable healthcare, support services, community programs, and outreach initiatives across north-east Victoria and parts of southern NSW.
While Gateway Health receives government funding to support the critical work it does, it is also open to donations and sponsorship to help it continue the vital work it does for those experiencing diverse health and wellbeing needs.
To make a donation, please visit the Gateway Health website at gatewayhealth.org.au/get-involved/donations/
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