Our Mission
Northern Nevada HOPES provides affordable, high-quality, medical, behavioral health, and support services for all.
Why we’re here
Since 1997, Northern Nevada HOPES has been on the front lines of community health, caring for those with the fewest resources and options, many of whom are living in crisis every day.
From our early days as a single-room HIV/AIDS clinic to the 38,000 sq foot community health center we are today, HOPES continues to serve Northern Nevada’s vulnerable, overlooked and underserved.
We tackle our community’s hard problems with resolve and compassion — from chronic disease to addiction.
How we work
Our team of providers — including doctors, mental health experts, addiction counselors, and case workers — work under one roof, making access to comprehensive medical, behavioral and wellness support services possible.
While patients typically come to HOPES seeking medical care, our medical team works closely with on-site case managers to meet all patients’ wellness needs. Twenty-five percent of our patients are experiencing homelessness and many others — including children and seniors — rely on us for far more than medical services. They depend on our case managers to connect them with meals, clothing, shelter, mental health care, addiction recovery support and other vital services.
Everyone who walks through our doors is greeted with kindness and treated with respect and compassion. We welcome everyone, wherever they are in life, and provide a safe and accepting place to access comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare services.
Designations
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
Northern Nevada HOPES is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) include all organizations receiving grants under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS). FQHCs must serve an underserved area or population, offer a sliding fee scale, provide comprehensive services, have an ongoing quality assurance program, and have a governing board of directors. As a health center, HOPES has stringent criteria for all requirements regarding administrative, clinical and financial operations, put for the by the Health Resources and Services Administration (via HRSA.gov).
Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH)
Northern Nevada HOPES is a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a model of care that aims to transform the delivery of comprehensive primary care to children, adolescents, and adults. Through the medical home model, practices seek to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the care they deliver while responding to each patient’s unique needs and preferences. No matter where you fall on the spectrum of PCMH transformation—healthy skepticism, just getting started, in the middle of practice redesign, or implementing advanced concepts—the adoption of PCMH concepts can benefit your practice, your patients, and your bottom line. (via AAFP)
National Health Services Corps (NHSC)
Northern Nevada HOPES is a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) site. The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) helps bring health care to those who need it most. Since 1972, we have been building healthy communities by connecting primary health care providers to areas of the United States with limited access to care. Today, 9,600 NHSC members provide culturally competent care to more than 10 million people. We provide this care at 5,000 NHSC-approved health care sites in urban, rural, and frontier areas. In addition to Corps providers currently providing care, nearly 1,100 additional members are in school or residency, preparing to practice. (via HRSA.gov)
As a National Health Service Corps site, Northern Nevada HOPES does not discriminate in the provision of services to individuals based on their inability to pay, race, color, sex, national origin, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. HOPES offers discounted services to qualifying patients and also accepts insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and Nevada Check-up.
Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)
Northern Nevada HOPES is a FTCA (Federal Tort Claims Act) deemed facility. To learn more about FTCA Health Centers please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
This health center is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n) with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including, without limitation, medical malpractice claims for itself and its covered individuals.
1990
The US Congress enacts the Ryan White CARE Act, providing federal funds for HIV/AIDS when no other resources are available
1997
Northern Nevada HOPES is incorporated and opens in downtown Reno.
January 2003
HOPES relocates from Kirman Avenue to Ralston Street.
August 2011
Sharon Chamberlain becomes Executive Director of HOPES.
September 2011
HOPES receives Federally Qualified Health Center Planning Grant to develop Needs Assessment of service area and target population.
2011
HOPES evaluates current facilities to determine feasibility of remodeling.
2012
Ongoing discussions with HOPES Board of Directors regarding options for expansion and new building.
October 2012
HOPES completes Needs Assessment revealing need for expansion of services in community.
2012
HOPES expands services to provide primary care to the general community with the same concept of patient-centered care in mind.
March 2013
HOPES submits New Access Point application to become a FQHC.
April 2013
HOPES issues RFP for an architecture firm.
July 2014
HOPES retains Neenan Archistruction firm.
2014
Design, site preparation, and civil engineering for new building begins.
November 2014
HOPES moves into temporary modular clinic and construction begins on new building.
January 2015
HOPES breaks ground on The Stacie Mathewson Wellness Center.
2015
NEW MISSION: At Northern Nevada HOPES, we are dedicated to building a healthier community by providing coordinated care and support for individual and family wellness. Our community health center combines primary care, medical specialties, behavioral health, and prevention with a team of experienced professionals who are committed to high-quality care
November 2015
HOPES’ new three-story, 37,000 square-foot medical facility opens. Since expanding primary care in 2012, HOPES grew from serving just over 600 patients to 4,772 in 2015.
February 2016
HOPES open the Stacie Mathewson Community Wellness Center featuring: 32 exam rooms; primary, pediatric and adult care clinics; wellness clinic, X-ray and diagnostics lab; pharmacy; care coordination center; community room and garden.
2016
HOPES served 6,729 patients, a 62% increase over 2015.
April 2017
HOPES Partners with Washoe Legal Services to open Nevada’s only Medical Legal Partnership, offering legal assistances to HOPES patients.
August 2017
HOPES launches the Healthy Money Habits program, providing patients with financial wellness coaching and education.
2017
HOPES served 9,796 patients, a 26% increase over 2016, including a 63% increase in pediatric patients, and a 73% increase in total patient visits.
2017
HOPES adds 50 jobs, increasing staff by 50%.
2017
Change Point expands services and begins distributing naloxone kits.
February 2018
NEW MISSION, VISION AND VALUES: We provide affordable, high-quality medical, behavioral health and support services for all. We strive to build a healthier community. We value kindness, dignity, inclusion, creativity and adaptability.
June 2018
HOPES undergoes construction to add medical and behavioral health offices to provide more services, 13 behavioral health rooms, 9 exam rooms, and 2 treatment rooms
2018
HOPES starts Reach Out and Read Program (ROAR) for pediatric patients.
2018
HOPES expands MAT, partners with Renown Health to launch Diabetes Prevention Program.
2018
Increases staff by 40, including 8 behavioral health providers, 5 medical providers, and an expanded nutrition team.
2018
HOPES launches Hope Springs capital campaign.
2018
HOPES hits 10,000 patient milestone.
2019
HOPES breaks ground on Hope Springs.
2020
Adapts to pandemic with telehealth for medical and behavioral health visits, parking lot visits for symptomatic patients, and drive-up testing.
April 2020
HOPES inducted into the Northern Nevada Best Places to Work Hall of Fame.
2020
Walk-in PrEP/PEP/STI clinic at Change Point opens.
2020
Gender and Sexual Health Care clinic opens thanks to donor Dr. Barry Frank.
January 2021
Hope Springs opens.
April 2021
The world marks 40 years since the first five cases of what later became known as AIDS were officially reported.
October 2021
Women’s Health Clinic opens at Change Point.
November 2021
First two Hope Springs residents graduate program into permanent housing.
2022
25th year of Northern Nevada HOPES serving those most in need in our community.
