MHEDS Selected for Federal New Access Point Award, Advancing from Look-Alike to HRSA-Funded Health Center
For Immediate Release
Press Inquiries are Welcome
Alivia Haibach
Chief Executive Officer
ahaibach@mheds.org
(814) 453-6229
2928 Peach Street Erie, PA 16508
ERIE, Pa., August 14, 2026 – The Multi-Cultural Health Evaluation Delivery System (MHEDS) announced that it has been selected to receive federal Health Center Program funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) 2026 New Access Points awards, marking a historic new chapter in the organization’s more than 50 years of service. The direct federal funding through the Health Center Program provides MHEDS with new resources to strengthen access to primary care for the Erie region.
The award was announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of a $102 million investment in the federal New Access Points initiative, which expands access to care in communities across the country. MHEDS is one of 158 health centers selected nationwide and one of only five in Pennsylvania, advancing the organization from Health Center Program Look-Alike status to HRSA-funded health center status.
“Our team has spent years building an organization that responds to the needs of the people and communities who face significant barriers to receiving healthcare, including language, transportation, location, and other challenges,” said Alivia Haibach, Chief Executive Officer of MHEDS. “This award builds on the high-quality care MHEDS has always delivered to this community and gives us greater capacity to meet people where they are and make healthcare easier to reach.”
MHEDS was founded in 1972 as a joint project of the Erie Diocesan Mission Office and the Erie Council of Churches. Over time, the organization added primary healthcare services and later expanded to refugee and immigrant health services. MHEDS entered the Health Center Program as a Look-Alike in 2019 and has continued to provide care for patients regardless of their ability to pay.
The award comes within a regional healthcare environment where community health centers work collaboratively to meet the needs of the Erie region.
“MHEDS is an amazing organization providing exceptional care to the community, and Primary Health Network is proud to serve alongside them in the spirit of partnership and collaboration,” said George Garrow, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Primary Health Network. “One of the things I am most proud of in the health center movement is the way we support one another to achieve our shared mission.”
For Haibach, the award represents an important milestone, but its significance ultimately lies in what it means for the community.
“This is an important moment for MHEDS, but ultimately, this is about the people we serve,” said Haibach. “It means building greater capacity, strengthening access, and continuing to work alongside our healthcare partners to ensure that the place we call home remains healthy and vibrant.”
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA-funded health centers provide comprehensive primary care to more than 32 million people at more than 16,000 service sites nationwide, serving 1 in 8 children, 1 in 5 rural residents, and 1 in 15 adults age 65 and older. Health centers play a critical role in preventing and managing chronic disease while delivering integrated primary care, behavioral health, oral health, and other essential services in communities across America.
About MHEDS
MHEDS is a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides equitable, culturally sensitive, and patient-centered healthcare to individuals and families throughout the Erie region, regardless of their ability to pay. MHEDS delivers personalized medical care, preventive services, health education, and community support to a diverse patient population, including immigrants, refugees, and individuals who are better served in languages other than English.
