Keeping our safety net intact

Elizabeth Franson and Todd Allen, for the Valley News

Our healthcare system is in a deepening crisis.

That’s a fact that’s been acknowledged and discussed for years but is now worsened by the sweeping reforms to funding for healthcare and medical research proposed by the Trump administration. The need for societal safety nets like free and nonprofit health clinics, developed over recent decades, is skyrocketing.

The Good Neighbor Health Clinic (GNHC) and Red Logan Dental Clinic (RLDC) in White River Junction have served the Upper Valley’s neediest and most vulnerable residents since 1992. In that time, we’ve seen demand for our adult primary care and dental services steadily increase: from 2022 to 2025, our scheduled medical appointments grew by more than 60%. Now, with proposed changes to Medicaid and Medicare and the freeze on federal grants looming, our dedicated, committed staff and volunteers are being challenged as never before to meet an ever-increasing need for
our services.

As we face the specter of dwindling federal and state support, how do we keep our safety net from unraveling?

Friday, April 25, will mark GNHC’s second annual “Day of Giving,” a special fundraising event to rally support for our mission to provide vital services to those in need. It’s a day where neighbors unite to make a difference, showing solidarity and generosity towards ensuring access to quality healthcare for all. We’ve set a goal of $10,000, which will be instrumental in sustaining the essential services offered by the Good Neighbor Health Clinic and Red Logan Dental Clinic. Donations will be matched up to $5,000 from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Every dollar raised will directly contribute to providing medical and dental care to individuals and families who may otherwise go without.

We are blessed to live in a caring, giving community in the Upper Valley. GNHC and RLDC have benefitted from that generosity over the years. If you’ve been a donor to GNHC and other local organizations like us, we thank you. If you’re interested in contributing to our Day of Giving and would like to know more about us and our work, please contact us. We’ll be happy to share our successes as well as our challenges.

– Elizabeth Franson is the executive director of Good Neighbor Health Clinic and
Red Logan Dental Clinic in White River Junction. Todd Allen is chair of the board of trustees of GNHC and RLDC.

Spring is bringing important updates to Good Neighbor Health Clinic and Red Logan Dental Clinic. From our anniversary to this fall’s vaccine clinic, there’s a lot to look forward to. Read the full February Chronicle here!

White River Junction, VT, February 10, 2025—

Good Neighbor Health Clinic, Inc. today announced it is among the awardees across the United States that received a grant from Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity, which mobilizes financial resources for organizations focused on non-clinical interventions that affect a person’s health. Commonly known as the social determinants of health, these factors include an individual’s physical, social, political, cultural, and economic environment.

“This latest round of more than $8 million in grants, made possible by generous support from MacKenzie Scott, the AbbVie Foundation, and Eli Lilly and Company, is the most recent infusion of funding for organizations deeply committed in eliminating health disparities and improving healthcare quality in their communities”, said Dr. Byron Scott, Direct Relief CEO and Co-Chair of the Fund for Health Equity. “Direct Relief is proud to support and grateful for the work they do every day.”

Good Neighbor Health Clinic, Inc. received $200000 from the Fund for Health Equity for its work to support its efforts to meet the growing dental needs in the community while striving to create sustainable care models. The dental program results in more access, and improved outcomes for all who seek dental care services without a compromise in quality, or fear creating healthcare justice, and embodying the principle of health equity through access for all.

The awardees were selected by the Fund for Health Equity’s Advisory Council, which includes the following members:

• Co-Chair Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA, 18th US Surgeon General of the United States, Founder Bayou Clinic, Inc.
• Co-Chair Byron Scott, MD, MBA, Direct Relief CEO
• Martha Dawson, DNP, MSN, RN, FACHE, President and CEO President of the National Black Nurses Association, Associate Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Jane Delgado, Ph.D., MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health
• Gail Small, JD, Head Chief Woman, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe

“We are pleased to support Good Neighbor Health Clinic, Inc. and other grassroots organizations dedicated to advancing health equity and addressing disparities in underserved communities across the United States,” said Dr. Byron Scott, MD, MBA, Co-Chair of the Fund for Health Equity and CEO of Direct Relief. “These organizations are invaluable partners in creating lasting change because they are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, possess firsthand understanding of their needs, and are uniquely positioned to deliver impactful solutions.”

We are thrilled to announce that our Executive Director, Elizabeth Franson, was recently honored at the 3rd Annual I Am the Dream: The Past, Present & Future awards ceremony, held on Friday, January 17th, and hosted by Dartmouth College’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement (DICE). This ceremony, held in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, recognized individuals who have demonstrated the ideals, courage, compassion, dignity, humility, and service that exemplified King’s character and empowered his leadership.

Elizabeth was recognized for her work in addressing food insecurity and its intersection with healthcare disparities. This award reflects Elizabeth’s tireless commitment to creating solutions that improve access to nutritious food for underserved members of the community while helping address the broader challenges of food insecurity and its impact on health outcomes.

Through her leadership, Elizabeth has worked to advance important initiatives that inspire collective action and drive positive change. Her work continues to be a vital part of the ongoing efforts to promote social justice and equity in healthcare and nutrition, especially for the patients at Good Neighbor Health Clinic and Red Logan Dental Clinic.

The event also honored other notable individuals and teams who have contributed substantially to the fight against food insecurity and poverty, as well as those who have worked to promote social justice. We are proud to see Elizabeth among these distinguished honorees.

This recognition at Dartmouth’s I Am the Dream Awards is a testament to the dedication and leadership that Elizabeth brings to our organization and the wider community. We are grateful for her ongoing commitment to creating a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Click here to view the full recording!

This Giving Tuesday, join us in making a difference! Thanks to a generous $40,000 match, every dollar you give will be doubled. Your support helps us continue our important work of caring for our neighbors in need. Thank you for supporting us this Giving Tuesday!