BCHC History

Origin

In 1972, a group of concerned Community residents, representing the Bond Elementary School and area churches, formed “The Bond Community Management Committee” for the purpose of coordinating efforts to improve the quality of life within the community. The organization became a potent force expressing loudly and clearly to the local powers that be very obvious and glaring needs within the Bond community

The Committee’s initial effort was giving leadership and support to an already existing community to seeking to secure recreational facilities and programs for the Bond Community. The Walker-Ford Recreation Center is the result of this effort.

A community-wide needs assessment survey identified a need for health services; as well as, day care for children, expanded library services, and other social services as critical needs in the Bond Community.

Further Development

After many years of planning, through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), in 1981 the Smith-Williams Services Center opened giving the community immediate access to day care for pre-school children, a health clinic, a library, and a program of social services. The library was a branch of the Leon County Public Library, the day care was operated by Big Bend-4-C, and the clinic was operated by the Leon County Health Department. Officials of the Leon County Health Department worked closely with the Committee in designing the clinic which focused on providing limited services for community residents.

The Bond Clinic opened in 1981 and was operated by the Leon County Health Department with limited services but providing within walking distance, many services to community.

At Bond Community Management Committee learned in a March, 1984 meeting that the Health Department planned to discontinue its support for the clinic had been proposed.

Funding

During the May 22, 1984, meeting of the Bond Community Management Committee, Dr. C.E. Richardson—a practicing physician who was reared in the area presented a draft of a proposal for CDBG funds to operate the clinic. He submitted signatures of several local physicians who agreed to assist, participating as the Health Care Associates.

The concept was readily received, the plan endorsed, the proposal submitted to the City of Tallahassee and the proposal funded for $70,000. With funding for the first year, the program operated with the assistance of physicians who donated their time and efforts.

The tireless efforts of Dr. Richardson and the Management Committee received additional funding the state through HRS, and United Way.
Additional donations and collaborations with other health care providers; and with dedicated staff and tireless efforts, the Clinic kept on target with its mission, which was to meet the needs of the underserved low and moderate income citizens.

In 1993, Dr. Richardson relocated his practice from Tallahassee to Indiana and left a legacy.

Progressing Forward to Success

The Bond Clinic became the Bond Community Health Center in September 1994 after receiving funding from the U. S. Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services Administration to operate as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) under section 330e of the Public Health Services Act (PHS).

Currently the BCHC continues to receive 330e funding from Health Resources and Services Administration; Ryan White Title IIIb Early Intervention Services (EIS); County funds from the Municipal State Tax (MSTU); Florida Department of Health and the United Way. Ms. Gail Milon currently serves as Board Chairman and as of February, 2003, Mr. J. R. Richards, MPA serves as the CEO of the Center. Ms. Sonia Neal conducts the operations as COO and Dr. Temple O. Robinson, MD, is in charge of the clinical aspects as the Medical Director

The Center serves about 1500+ patients a month.
Issues: Women’s Health issues
Diabetics
HIV/AIDS
Specialist Referrals: Heart Disease, Mammograms, Digestive
Diseases and much more