Shoreline ICHS clinic leader honored at the White House as a Champion of Change

Teresita Batayola
CEO ICHS

On Thursday, April 24, the White House and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will honor 11 advocates and community leaders as “Champions of Change” for their work to educate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders about the Affordable Care Act.

The event will celebrate the leadership, commitment, and hard work of navigators, consumer assisters, community health centers, and other individuals or organizations that have focused on ensuring that AAPIs fully benefit from health reform.

Among the 11 will be Teresita Batayola, CEO of the non-profit International Community Health Services, which is opening a new clinic in Shoreline this August.

“Our entire team at International Community Health Services (ICHS) is truly honored and grateful to be recognized by the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for our work in helping the Asian and Pacific Islander Community in Washington State fully benefit from the Affordable Care Act,” said Teresita Batayola, CEO of ICHS.  

“For more than 40 years, it has been the mission of ICHS to provide culturally-and linguistically-appropriate health services to anyone in need, because we believe that access to quality, affordable health care creates healthy, vibrant communities. Since October 2013, ICHS has helped nearly 6,000 people (and counting) enroll in new health insurance. On average, each enrollment took over an hour accounting for interpretation and getting through the process. All of this was made possible because of the patience, compassion and enduring commitment of our staff that work one-on-one with patients every day.” 

The new facility is full-service, with medical and dental services (18 exam rooms, 10 dental chairs), the ability to perform some procedures in-house, and an on-site pharmacy and laboratory. The clinic in Shoreline will be open to anyone in need of health care services. There are no income requirements. All forms of insurance will be accepted. No one will be turned away.

Corrected and updated 04-24-2014