History of Welsh Mountain Health Centers

Welsh Mountain Medical Center is established as a project of CAP, the Christian Medical Society of Lancaster County, the Visiting Nurse Association & the Office of Economic Opportunity in the former Mt. Airy one-room schoolhouse.

The Center moves to a small building at its current location on Springville Road on land donated by the Mennonite Central Committee. Doris Weaver, RN and several part time staff members operated the Center five days per week, with five volunteer physicians seeing patients each Wednesday on a rotating basis.

CAP funding ceases and Welsh Mountain is incorporated as a non-profit organization. Dr. Harold Kraybill is appointed medical director, working 2 ½ days per week. At this time, the average cost per patient visit is $1.00 based on a sliding fee scale.

The Center continues to operate with financial support from area churches, businesses and individuals. The first Board of Directors includes Willard Allen, Isaac Boots, Nancy Sandoe, Mary Paes and Rev. Gary Meier, early champions of bringing affordable medical care to the Welsh Mountain community.

The Center receives a grant to bring on a full-time physician, Dr. David Pierce-Mayor, a participant in the National Health Service Corp. The fundraising driver “Momentum ‘77” allows Welsh Mountain to expand its operations with an additional modular structure for medical services and the introduction of a new dental program in its original building.

Welsh Mountain becomes a United Way agency and is approved as a Rural Health Clinic.

The Center’s name is changed to Welsh Mountain Medical & Dental Center to better represent the recent addition of dental services to the community.

The Center receives a United Way Venture Grant to begin an immunization program serving the Amish and Old Order Mennonite Communities, staffed by Shirley Bucher and Mary Ann Eby. Today, the “Horse & Buggy Program” provides immunizations, well child screenings, lead poisoning prevention as well as health and parenting education to families in these communities each year.

A renovation project connects the medical and dental buildings under one roof.

Welsh Mountain doubles the size of its dental facilities, adding three operatories and a hygiene room, along with improvements to the existing lab and sterilization areas. This expansion, along the hiring of an additional dentist, allows the Center to eliminate a waiting list of over 300 area families.

Welsh Mountain opens its second location, Meadow Creek Family Practice, at The Center for Health at Garden Spot Village in New Holland. In 2007, the office moves to a larger, newly constructed wing of the Center for Health.

Welsh Mountain Medical & Dental Center completes a $1 million dental expansion and renovation project, adding six additional operatories and making upgrades to the building’s roof, HVAC and electrical systems. The corporate name is changed to Welsh Mountain Health Centers, reflecting the recent and potential future growth to provide health services to those with barriers to care.

In April, Welsh Mountain opens Lebanon Ridge Community Health to serve Lebanon County, especially the 6,500+ residents who were forced to find medical and dental care in neighboring counties due to a lack of providers who accepted patients on Medical Assistance.