Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Healthcare Advocacy Partner in Rhode Island
Since 1972, our organization has served as the leading advocate for community-based primary care health programs across Rhode Island. As a trusted representative of ten community health centersincluding eight Federally Qualified Health Centerswe work tirelessly to ensure equitable access to high-quality healthcare for all residents, regardless of financial circumstances. Our dedicated team provides critical support in areas such as chronic care collaboration, emergency preparedness, workforce development, and public policy advocacy. With over five decades of experience, we adapt to evolving healthcare landscapes while maintaining our core mission of strengthening Rhode Island's safety net healthcare infrastructure.Through partnerships with state and federal agencies, we deliver essential training and technical assistance, empowering health centers to expand services and improve patient outcomes. Our leadership in healthcare policy ensures the voices of community providers are heard in legislative and regulatory discussions shaping the future of healthcare delivery.
Services
Healthcare Advocacy
Emergency Preparedness
Policy Development
Workforce Training
Technical Assistance
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of experience advocating for community health centers
- Our team provides specialized training in chronic care and emergency preparedness
- We maintain direct partnerships with all Rhode Island Federally Qualified Health Centers
- Our policy experts influence state and federal healthcare legislation
- We offer comprehensive technical assistance for healthcare workforce development
Services
Healthcare Advocacy
We champion community health center interests in legislative and regulatory discussions shaping Rhode Island's healthcare landscape. Our team works with federal and state policymakers to secure funding, improve regulations, and expand access to care. With decades of experience, we ensure safety net providers maintain capacity to serve vulnerable populations.
Emergency Preparedness
Our specialized programs help health centers develop comprehensive emergency response plans for natural disasters and public health crises. We provide training, resource coordination, and compliance guidance to maintain continuity of care during emergencies. This includes pandemic response protocols and FEMA collaboration initiatives.
Workforce Development
We implement strategies to attract and retain qualified healthcare professionals at member centers. Our programs address staffing shortages through targeted recruitment campaigns, professional development opportunities, and retention incentive frameworks. This ensures consistent access to quality care across all service areas.
Policy Development
Our experts analyze healthcare trends and draft policy recommendations to improve system effectiveness. We facilitate collaborative discussions between providers, insurers, and government agencies to create sustainable solutions for access, affordability, and quality improvement in primary care services.
Technical Assistance
We offer customized guidance to health centers on regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and operational efficiency. Our consultants provide on-site and virtual support for implementing best practices in clinical care delivery, electronic health record systems, and financial management.
People
Elena Nicolella
President & CEO
Leading RIHCA since 2022, Elena brings 25+ years of healthcare administration experience. She previously served as COO of a major hospital system and holds a Master's in Public Health. Her focus remains on expanding healthcare access through policy innovation.
Merrill Thomas
Board Chair
With 20+ years in healthcare leadership, Merrill currently serves as CEO of Providence Community Health Centers. He chairs RIHCA's board, guiding strategic initiatives to strengthen Rhode Island's primary care infrastructure through collaborative governance.
Alison Croke
Secretary
As President & CEO of Wood River Health since 2018, Alison contributes operational expertise to RIHCA's leadership. She focuses on rural healthcare access and has implemented successful telehealth programs that inform statewide policy discussions.
Dr. Jonathan Gates
Board Member
A practicing physician and medical director at Wood River Health, Dr. Gates provides clinical perspective to RIHCA's initiatives. He specializes in family medicine and has led quality improvement programs that enhanced patient outcomes across multiple health centers.
Melissa Campbell
Policy Manager
Handling legislative affairs for RIHCA, Melissa has 15 years of healthcare policy experience. She monitors regulatory changes, drafts position papers, and coordinates advocacy efforts that have successfully influenced multiple state healthcare laws benefiting community providers.
Questions
What is the Rhode Island Health Center Association's primary mission?
We advocate for community health centers across Rhode Island, supporting their efforts to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare to all residents regardless of financial status.
How does RIHCA support local health centers?
We provide policy advocacy, emergency preparedness planning, workforce recruitment assistance, and specialized training programs to strengthen healthcare delivery infrastructure.
What types of health centers are part of RIHCA?
Our members include eight Federally Qualified Health Centers, Block Island Health Services, and The Providence Center for mental health services.
How can organizations get certified for health insurance assistance?
We offer Certified Application Counselor training programs for agencies wanting to help residents enroll in HealthSource RI insurance programs.
Does RIHCA provide direct patient care?
We support member health centers that provide direct care services including primary medicine, dental care, mental health treatment, and insurance assistance programs.
