North Side Christian Health Center

The North Side Christian Health Center (NSCHC) is a non-profit organization located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, dedicated to providing accessible and high-quality healthcare services. Founded in 1993 by three physicians – Dr. Todd Wahrenbeger, Dr. Mark Guy, and Dr. Daniel Holt – NSCHC was established to fulfill a spiritual calling of providing healing work in accordance with Christian principles. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), NSCHC is committed to serving all patients regardless of their ability to pay, offering a sliding fee scale for income-eligible individuals. They also accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance plans. The center's mission is to provide "whole-person primary health care to underserved persons on the Northside and surrounding neighborhoods," envisioning a community where all individuals are engaged in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. NSCHC offers a wide range of integrated healthcare services, including: Medical Services: Comprehensive primary and preventive care for all ages, from infants to senior citizens. This includes physical exams, sick visits, cancer screenings, gynecological services, immunizations, and specialized clinics such as Hepatitis C. They also provide 24-hour on-call emergency coverage. Dental Services: A variety of dental care options such as fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, extractions, and root canals. Referrals to reduced-cost specialists are provided when necessary. Behavioral Health/Community Wellness Services: Outpatient behavioral health services for children, youth, and adults, staffed by licensed counselors, social workers, and psychologists. They address common conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, and trauma, and integrate spiritual care with counseling. Their Community Wellness Initiative also extends preventive behavioral health services and education into the broader community. Medication Management: Access to reduced-cost prescription medications through the 340B Drug Pricing Program, allowing patients to fill prescriptions at local pharmacies or through mail order. NSCHC operates its main clinic at 816 Middle Street in Pittsburgh and also has a location in Northview Heights, demonstrating its commitment to reaching underserved areas. The organization has received recognition for its community outreach and is a NCQA Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home, emphasizing a patient-centric approach to care. NSCHC's history includes community support from organizations like Allegheny Center Alliance Church, Mercy Hospital, and PNC Bank, which provided a donated storefront for their initial operations. Volunteers played a significant role in its early development, transforming a former funeral home into a functional health center. Beyond direct clinical services, NSCHC engages in community initiatives such as Project Sweet Tooth, which integrates medical and dental care for diabetes patients, and various public health efforts, including COVID-19 testing, education, and PPE distribution, particularly for ethnic minority, refugee, and immigrant communities. Their commitment to holistic health, regardless of a patient's background or financial situation, makes NSCHC a vital resource in the Pittsburgh community.