Piedmont Access to Health Services, Inc. ('PATHS') is a non-profit 501c3 organization whose mission is to provide healthcare to all citizens (in South Central Virginia) -- regardless of their ability to pay. The vision of PATHS is to provide access to quality primary and specialty care, prescription medication, case management and other ancillary services to the citizens of Southern Virginia and surrounding areas.

It is the core value of PATHS that everyone has the right to quality health care. PATHS provides a medical home for everyone -- including the uninsured and underinsured as well as a point of entry into established human service agencies and health care system.

PATHS has experienced tremendous growth in a very short amount of time. The organization started out in 2001 as Project Access of the Dan River Region -- a coordinated system of volunteer healthcare for the uninsured. In response to the elimination of another organization's medication assistance program, a new service was created: Southside Virginia MEDAssist, in 2003. In the summer of 2004, PATHS was awarded a Ryan White Title II (Part B) grant which led to the creation of the CHAAP Program (Community HIV/AID Assistance Program). Shortly thereafter in the fall of 2004, PATHS received an award from the Bureau of Primary Health Care to assume the management of two federally qualified community health centers (on in Danville, and one in Martinville, Virginia). These became known as the Health Centers of the Piedmont. In February 2007, PATHS expanded the Health Center of the Piedmont Program to include a third service location in Chatham, Virginia.

This health center receives HHS funding and has federal Public Health Service deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.

PATHS'Board of Directors is a group of dedicated individuals who volunteer their time and energy to provide the organization with ongoing guidance and leadership. They are vested with ultimate responsibility for the fiduciary management, and to ensure PATHS fulfills its mission of providing comprehensive and quality care to its patients. A founding principle of the organization is that a majority of its Board always be composed of active patients of the center. By assuring the Board reflects the many interests, issues and concerns of our communities,PATHS strengthens its commitment to remain a vibrant community-based organization responsive to the health care needs of the people and communities we serve.

I have insurance, so I can't be seen at PATHS, can I? This couldn't be further from the truth! PATHS is currently accepting new patients at all sites and accepts all forms of insurance - including Medicare and Medicaid. Sliding Fee Scales and other special programs are dependent on the revenues generated from providing care to patients with insurance.

What are Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)? Federally Qualified Health Centers are local, non-profit, community-owned health care providers serving members of the community regardless of ability to pay. These centers are the family doctor and health care home to 1 out of 8 uninsured Americans. FQHCs receive federal grants to help defray operating costs.