Ready to Vote?

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Register to vote, verify your registration, or request a ballot here:

READY TO VOTE?

NOAH has partnered with the national nonpartisan, non-profit organization, Vot-ER to help ensure our patients are ready to vote in the upcoming election. Healthcare organizations across the country are participating in this effort to build awareness about the impact of voting.

Why?

There are a couple of reasons why NOAH is part of this campaign.

Everyone needs healthcare. Our services reach a diverse population and can be effective in getting the word out throughout Maricopa County.

Health centers rely on government funding for a significant portion of our operating costs. This funding is decided on by our elected officials and/or guidelines set through legislation.

VOTE. It matters.

When you vote, you are helping to select people who will represent your views on important topics and legislation that impacts the way you live. Take the opportunity to share your voice by voting in every election. Voting can be complicated but there are lots of unbiased resources to help explain who and what is on the ballot in terms that are easy to understand.

If you need more information on how to register to vote or details about what’s on the ballot, click here or text VOTE NOAH to 34444.

Cholla Health Center Provider Profile: Meet Dr. Eller

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NOAH’s newest location, Cholla Health Center, is expected to open in late 2022. Conveniently located in south Scottsdale, the 30,000 square foot facility will combine three of NOAH’s locations; Heuser Family Medicine Center, Heuser Pediatric Dental, and the north Scottsdale Cholla Health Center. With capacity to serve over 16,000 patients annually, NOAH is able to provide care for all of the existing patients as well as welcome many new patients. For more information about the new Cholla Health Center including details about the new facility, construction progress, services offered, and NOAH’s Scottsdale roots, visit the project website.

At NOAH, we believe high quality healthcare starts with great people and are pleased to have experienced, caring, and passionate providers like Dr. Eller on our team.

Linda Eller, DO

Q. How long have you been a provider with NOAH?

A. I started working for NOAH in February 2017 and have now been with NOAH for five and a half years.

Q. If I asked your patients to describe what makes you a good provider, what would they say?

A. I work with my patients in shared decision making to help them achieve their healthcare goals.

Q. What is the most rewarding thing about being a NOAH provider?

A. At NOAH I have had the ability to serve a diverse patient population and have earned the trust of many patients. 

Q. What positive changes have you seen in community healthcare over the years?

Keeping telehealth as an option has been a great addition for our NOAH patients. At NOAH, our wonderful integrative team helps to offer comprehensive care for our patients.

Q. What about the new Cholla Health Center excites you the most?

A. As a provider at the previous Cholla location, we’ve been without a permanent home, off and on, for over two years. I am excited to have a clinic to serve my patients in full-time.

Q, What do you hope the new Cholla Health Center will bring to the south Scottsdale community?

A. NOAH has operated clinics in north and Old Town Scottsdale but has not had the capacity to extend services as far south and east as we will with this new location. There is a high demand in this area for an integrated healthcare offering that supports underserved populations

Q. What do you like to do in your free time?

A. My husband and I are passionate about traveling and recently visited Puerto Rico. We loved the beautiful island, the people, and culture. We hiked the rain forest, relaxed on the beautiful beaches, and enjoyed time with friends. More locally, Sedona is one of our favorite places in Arizona to explore. We love the delicious food, beautiful hikes, and peacefulness the town offers.

To learn more about Dr. Eller, check out her Provider Profile.

Every Vote Counts

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We are excited to partner with Vot-ER to promote the importance of voting! Vot-ER is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to integrating civil engagement into healthcare with one simple message:

“Voting is an important way to make your voice heard and influence government policies that affect our community.

Shape Your Community, Shape Your Health

The officials we vote into office make important decisions, like how much prescription drugs cost and whether we have access to fresh fruits and vegetables in our neighborhoods.

As voters, we can directly influence these policies and help shape the health of our community for generations to come.

You Don’t Have to be an Expert on Politics to Vote

Need help deciding who or what to vote for? Discuss with friends and family, search online for local voter guides, and read endorsements from news sources you trust.

Voting is important—but it doesn’t have to be a burden.

This is Your Community

You and your neighbors know best what your community needs to thrive. Whether you’re new to the area or have lived in your neighborhood all your life, your voice is needed in every election.”

Vot-ER.org

Who is Voting?

Non-Hispanic white people have a 71% share of votes across the country based on a study conducted by the Elect Project, a program administered by the University of Florida Department of Political Science. Further results from the 2020 presidential election cross-referenced with Census data indicate that 72% of people with education beyond high school voted, while 55% of people with a high school education voted, and only 40% of people with less than a high school education voted.

Statistically, minority populations with lower income levels, and less education are more prominent in medically underserved communities. As a result, we can presume that a large portion of our patients’ opinions are not being represented in government elections.

What We’re Doing

Over the next eight weeks, we will be encouraging every NOAH patient and employee to make sure they’re registered to vote and commit to voting in the November 8 election. This is a nonpartisan, unbiased effort meaning we don’t have any interest in how people vote – only that their vote is counted.

Register To Vote

National Health Center Week!

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During National Health Center Week, NOAH is celebrating the progress made in the 57 years since community health centers were established as part of the civil rights movement. Community health centers, like the nine locations NOAH operates around central Arizona serve all members of the community.

Today, there are 1,400 community health center organizations like NOAH providing much-needed healthcare and wellness services around the country. Those 1,400 organizations have more than 14,000 sites to serve the 30 million individuals who need and deserve access to quality care.

The National Association of Community Health Centers recognizes the progress and impact made for all people throughout the year, but this week is dedicated to sharing this momentum with everyone.

NOAH Community Health Centers

NOAH began its journey of providing compassionate, quality healthcare for all in 1997. In the past 24 years, NOAH has expanded to nine health center locations, serving 40,000 people every year, adding vital new service lines like psychiatry, integrating screenings for food insecurity and other social determinants of health, and so much more. Today NOAH employs more than 350 talented, dedicated providers, support staff, and administrative professionals to continue to bring our vision to life.

Throughout National Health Center Week, NOAH is recognizing our amazing team members who always give so much to our mission and each patient, but even more so over the past 18 months. NOAH has given more than 20,000 COVID vaccines, continues to meet every goal in front of them, and works together as a team in the face of every new opportunity.

So, this week we take time to celebrate our NOAH team members and the other 225,000 community health center employees around the country. Community health centers help families grow, support generations, address wellness for the whole person, and change lives every day. To learn more about Community Health Centers and their impact, visit HealthCenterWeek.org. To see what NOAH is up to this week, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

Monkeypox: What You Need to Know

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According to recent reports released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of August 1 there have been over 5,100 reported cases of monkeypox in the United States with Arizona accounting for 50 of those cases. Our best defense against monkeypox is to keep it from spreading by understanding symptoms of the virus and how it’s transmitted. Dr. Vanyo-Novak, Family Physician and Medical Director for NOAH answers some of the most common questions.

Q: What is monkeypox?

A: Monkeypox is a virus that can cause fever, body aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that typically starts on the face, arms, and legs and spreads toward the trunk. 

Examples of Monkeypox rash:

Monkeypox Example

Though cases are on the rise, this infection is still rare and there is much you can do to protect yourself.

Q: Is monkeypox the same thing as chickenpox?

A: No, monkeypox is caused by a different virus. 

Monkeypox is most similar to Smallpox, a virus that last seen in the U.S. back in 1949. 

Though monkeypox and chickenpox both involve rashes that can itch and be painful, the rash in monkeypox starts as flat red spots that become raised within 1-2 days and then pus filled within 5-7 days.  The rash in monkeypox can involve the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, the rash in chickenpox doesn’t.  Monkeypox also causes swollen lymph glands, something you don’t usually see with chickenpox. 

Q: Who is at risk for monkeypox?

A: Anyone who comes in close contact with other people or animals infected with monkeypox.

Monkeypox can be spread through:

  • direct contact with the rash, scabs, or bodily fluid
  • touching items (clothes, linens) that previously touched the rash or bodily fluids
  • inhaling respiratory secretions during close face-to face contact or during intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling, or sex.
  • pregnant women can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta 

Q: How do I protect myself and my family from monkeypox? 

A: There is a lot you can do to avoid contracting monkeypox, including: 

  • Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have rashes.  Avoid touching rashes or scabs on other people.
  • Do not kiss, cuddle, or have sex with someone who has suspected or confirmed monkeypox.
  • Do not share utensils or cups with someone who has suspected or confirmed monkeypox.
  • Do not touch bedding, towels, or clothes of someone who has suspected or confirmed monkeypox.
  • Avoid touching your face and clean your hands after touching other people or surfaces.  This can be done with soap and water or with and alcohol-based sanitizer. 
  • If you work in a NOAH Health Center or other patient care environment, make sure to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and exercise good hand hygiene.

Q: Is there a vaccine for monkeypox?

A: Yes, there are two vaccines licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for preventing monkeypox.  These vaccines are in limited supply and available through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Health Department only.  Unlike most of our vaccines, the monkeypox vaccines can be given after a known exposure to the virus and still be effective.  At this time, the vaccines are mostly being used in high risk individuals who have had close contact with a confirmed case of monkeypox.

Q: What if I suspect I have monkeypox?

A: Please self-isolate until you can seek medical attention for further evaluation.  NOAH has an RN Nurse Triage line available to help assess your symptoms and determine whether a telehealth or in office visit is needed.  Testing for monkeypox can only be completed during an in office visit.  Please make sure to wear a mask and cover all open sores prior to entering any of our NOAH clinics.  This is to help decrease the spread of the virus.

Q: Is there treatment for monkeypox?

A: No, there is no specific treatment for monkeypox.  That being said, because monkeypox is so similar to smallpox and smallpox does have a treatment, TPOXX, this treatment can be approved under what’s called “compassionate use” for patients at extreme risk for complications.  This medication is only available through the CDC.  If a NOAH clinician believes a patient may need treatment for monkeypox they will help coordinate next steps with the CDC.  Though most cases of monkeypox will resolve on their own and not require treatment there are some instances where treatment is indicated (examples include patients with active HIV, intolerable pain from the monkeypox lesions). 

Q: What is NOAH doing to prevent the spread of monkeypox in our clinics?

A: NOAH Health Center teams follow specific guidelines to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious diseases.  Patients with symptoms indicating a potentially contagious condition are roomed upon arrival to the clinic. NOAH staff follow strict protocols for use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and cleaning of the exam rooms and office equipment after each visit.

Q: Where can I learn more about monkeypox?

A: For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit the CDC website.

Back to School Wellness Bundle

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The demands for back to school can be overwhelming when it comes to backpacks, haircuts, and new outfits, but many students are also in need of required vaccinations, well child checks, or sports physicals.

NOAH is easing the stress of back to school health needs with our Wellness Bundle. This visit takes about an hour and is your “one and done” health exam for back to school. Schedule one appointment and see multiple providers who will examine your child’s health needs in the following areas:

  • Medical & Immunizations
  • Dental
  • Nutrition
  • Emotional Health
  • Community Resources

Any recommended follow-up care will be noted and then scheduled when it’s convenient for you.

Wellness Bundle appointments are available for children of any age at NOAH’s Desert Mission and Palomino Health Centers from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Desert Mission Health Center

  • Saturday, August 13

Palomino Health Center

  • Thursday, August 4
  • Friday, August 5

Your family’s health is important to us and we know your time is valuable. Let NOAH help check a few items off your list this back to school season.

Call us at 480-882-4545 to book your Wellness Bundle or request an appointment online.

New 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will have a new number beginning July 16. While help will still be available through the current ten-digit Lifeline, access to support through a new three-digit phone number, 988, will make it even easier to get support.

What Does the Lifeline Do?

For every one person who dies from suicide, 316 others seriously consider suicide but do not kill themselves (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)). In many cases, simply talking with a friend, family member, or counselor can mean the difference between life and death.

That’s where the Lifeline comes in. Anyone can call, text or chat with a trained counselor through the Lifeline – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lifeline is connected to over 200 accredited crisis call centers located throughout the country. When someone calls 988, their call is routed to a location near them. Being connected with someone local helps with finding resources for follow-up treatment and support. However, being part of a nationwide program ensures no call goes unanswered when local counselors are not available.

Why the Change?

The new number is easy to remember, quick to dial, and with a universal code like 911, is an an equally accessible option for life-saving care. As an alternative to calling 911 for mental health services, calls to the 988 Lifeline are expected to increase. Lifeline program administrator, Vibrant Emotional Heath, puts it simply, “When you’ve got a police, fire, or rescue emergency, you call 911. When you have an urgent mental health need, you call 988.”    

How Can You Help?

Over 20 million calls have been made to the Lifeline since it became available in 2005. Although some initial support for 988 has come from federal, state and local resources, more help is needed to staff, fund, and raise awareness of the service.

With the anticipated increase in calls, SAMHSA is actively recruiting volunteers, interns, and employees to serve as crisis counselors and managers for the Lifeline. Check out the Lifeline website for more ways you can support your local crisis call center.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call, text or chat the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255 or 988

For non-urgent needs, consider scheduling an appointment with a NOAH counselor.

Profiles in Leadership

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Meet NOAH Board Member Dr. Kim Perry

Dr. Kimberly Perry
Dr. Kim Perry, NOAH Board Secretary

Get to know Dr. Kim Perry, what she brings to the NOAH board of directors and what she hopes to accomplish while serving in this capacity.

Q. When did you join the NOAH Board of Directors?

A. I joined the NOAH Board of Directors in 2021. When I first moved to Arizona, I attended the opening of a NOAH Health Center and was very impressed with the facility and the warm welcome from the staff.

Q. Why are you interested in supporting community health?

A. Having grown up in a very underserved community in New Jersey, I’ve always had an interest in community health. Early in my career, I served as the inaugural dean for A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health. We developed a partnership with Affinia Healthcare (the FQHC) where students had the opportunity to provide dental services to medically underserved patients in a 92-chair dental clinic. It was in this experience that I realized how many people benefit from Community Health. I was inspired to continue this work as a board member for a Community Health Center that supports oral health care.

Q. What specifically about NOAH motivated you to want to get involved at this level with the organization?

A. I find NOAH to be a very warm and welcoming organization and I appreciate that. I’m interested in serving a group that’s moving the dial for patients who need oral and mental healthcare in addition to overall health.

Q. What do you like about working with your fellow board members?

A. I like that people respect what you bring to the table. A lot of groups talk about diversity, but don’t actually listen to what everyone has to say. The NOAH board and leadership are diverse, representative of the population we serve, and genuinely interested in the expertise everyone provides.

Q. What do you hope to collectively accomplish during your term on the board?

I would love to see us transition out of this COVID-19 pandemic having done the very best we can in helping our patients.

I’d also like to do more advocacy work to help get through some of the financial hurdles we know impact patients and community health centers. From a broad perspective, this might be educating our community about issues to make informed decisions on public leaders or supporting efforts to address public needs in other ways.

Q. What does NOAH’s Board of Directors provide for the organization, staff, patients, and the community?

A. The board supports the executive team and other NOAH staff, while ensuring patient safety in reaching the population health goals for the communities we serve.

It is important to respect the skillset and knowledge of the NOAH team as well as understand the needs of the community so that when we make board decisions, they are informed decisions.

I feel it’s also our responsibility to ask questions. Organizations should want people on the board who ask those uncomfortable questions. When you get those questions answered, it gives people an opportunity to explain their thought process and puts us all on the same page that allows the board to move forward in a manner consistent with our responsibilities and the mission of NOAH.

I’m a supportive person who wants to understand the big picture and the overall details. Trusting the people who present us with that information is critical; which is why it’s so important to build real relationships with the board and leadership.

Q. What part of the community that NOAH serves matters to you the most personally?

A. I am passionate about helping vulnerable and underserved populations. Whether it’s elderly patients, those with disabilities, or people who face inequality due to race or gender; I think of the patients who don’t have the resources or insurance for healthcare. They come to NOAH for comprehensive oral and overall care and they know that NOAH is a place for them.

The NOAH Board of Directors is a diverse group of volunteers who contribute to the mission of transforming the health of our community. Patients from the communities we serve make up 51% of our board. Learn more about NOAH’s board of directors and how they drive the organization.

NEWS: NOAH Receives $4.1 Million for New Scottsdale Health Center

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NOAH is pleased to announce that they will receive $4.1 million in funding from the Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers (AACHC) to support the development of NOAH’s new comprehensive Cholla Health Center in south Scottsdale.

The new 30,000 sq. ft. Cholla Health Center will be located at 8705 E. McDowell Road, in Scottsdale, just off the Loop 101. This new center will consolidate three NOAH health centers in Scottsdale into one, much larger, more comprehensive facility.

The grant was provided to NOAH through Maricopa County Department of Public Health with funds allocated to AACHC. These funds are specifically designated to support programs and services to help people, families, and businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic. The projects selected for grant awards, including NOAH, will help prepare Maricopa County to meet current and future public health crises, as well as daily health care needs.

“This grant both supports a much-needed health center for this community and furthers our mission to provide healthcare services to all,” said NOAH CEO Wendy Armendariz. “NOAH has a long-standing presence in this community so growth here, especially during a great time of need, is an important step for our organization.”

The new Cholla Health Center will combine NOAH services, providers, and staff members from three existing facilities: NOAH Heuser Family Medicine, Heuser Dental Clinic, and the former Cholla Health Center in north Scottsdale. NOAH’s new location will serve 16,000 patients annually from Scottsdale, east Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa and the surrounding areas with integrated care including medical, counseling, psychiatry, dental, on-site laboratory, nutrition, and community resources all under one roof. The NOAH Cholla Health Center is set to open in late 2022. New and existing patients are welcome at this or any of the other NOAH locations in Maricopa County. NOAH accepts all patients with either private and public insurance including AHCCCS/Medicaid, patients who are uninsured or underinsured, and offers health insurance enrollment support, Sliding Fee Scale (SFS), and self-pay discounts. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 480-882-4545 or click here.

Profiles in Leadership

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Dr. Moe Bell
Dr. Marvin (Moe) Bell, NOAH Board of Directors

Meet NOAH Board Member Dr. Marvin (Moe) Bell

Get to know Dr. Bell, his inspiration for joining the NOAH board and what he hopes to accomplish as part of the group.

Q: When did you join the NOAH Board of Directors?

A: I joined the board in January 2022.

Q: Why are you interested in supporting community health?

A: I strongly believe that community health centers are the best way to improve equity and health outcomes in our community. I worked for NOAH as a physician and have seen firsthand the great benefit NOAH is providing to our community.

Q: What specifically about NOAH motivated you to want to get involved at this level with the organization?

A: I have a long history with NOAH, dating back to 1998 when I was the medical director helping with two school-based clinics. The very first Pap smear we did on an uninsured mother of three found an early-stage cervical cancer that was treatable, and truly saved her life. I have seen NOAH grow to help many more patients, and I hope to help NOAH going forward as I retire from patient care.

Q: What do you like about working with your fellow board members?

A: I am very new to the board, but I am already impressed by the strong commitment the board members have to community health and the wide range of expertise of the members.

Q: What do you hope to collectively accomplish during your term on the board?

A: I hope to help with the transition to fully independent status as NOAH becomes independent from HonorHealth. I also hope my experience both medically and in public health will be of use to NOAH’s leadership and other board members.

Q: In your own words, what does NOAH’s Board of Directors provide for the organization, staff, patients, and the community?

A: I would say oversight, accountability, expertise, and overall support of NOAH’s mission.

Q: What part of the community that NOAH serves matters to you the most personally?

A: I am especially concerned about the underserved members of our community who struggle to get good medical and behavioral health care. NOAH’s strong focus on social determinants of health is very important to me.

The NOAH Board of Directors is a diverse group of volunteers who contribute to the mission of transforming the health of our community. Patients from the communities we serve make up 51% of our board. Learn more about NOAH’s board of directors and how they drive the organization.