Charter Oak Health Center

What Charter Oak Health Center does

Charter Oak Health Center, Inc. is a federally qualified, Joint Commission-accredited nonprofit community health center founded in 1978 in Hartford, Connecticut, providing comprehensive outpatient healthcare to underserved, uninsured, and underinsured residents of the greater Hartford area. The organization operates 17 licensed sites, including a 62,000+ square foot flagship facility at 21 Grand Street with 54 exam rooms, 18 dental rooms, and 10 behavioral health treatment rooms, plus six satellite brick-and-mortar clinics (one in Bloomfield), four school-based health centers at Hartford public and magnet schools, four shelter-based clinics serving homeless populations, and a mobile medical and dental van. Service lines span primary medical care, pediatrics, behavioral health, women's health, dental, urgent care (open 7 days per week), optometry, podiatry, dermatology, chiropractic, radiology and lab, 340B pharmacy, nutrition, and case management — delivered regardless of ability to pay under a sliding fee scale for patients at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.

The business model combines patient service revenue from Medicaid, Medicare, Husky Health, Access Health CT marketplace plans, and commercial insurance with a federal Section 330 Public Health Service grant as a Federally Qualified Health Center, sliding-fee revenue, and donations and foundation grants. Technology is built on the eClinicalWorks EHR with the Healow patient portal and mobile app, providing 24/7 patient access to records, appointments, refills, secure messaging, virtual visits, and online bill payment. Marketing and patient acquisition are community-led, relying on outreach coordinators, school and shelter partnerships, community events, social media, and word-of-mouth rather than paid advertising. Leadership includes President and CEO Vernette Townsend (DNP, MSN, RN) with 40+ years of healthcare experience, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Luis F. Diez-Morales, and Chief Compliance Officer Timothy Powers, supported by a community-including governing board.

The company's competitive position rests on a regulatory moat (FQHC status, FTCA deemed status, 340B pharmacy eligibility), a 17-site distribution network that is the most extensive community health access footprint in greater Hartford, and 47+ years of community embeddedness built through partnerships with Hartford schools, homeless shelters, and social service agencies. Growth has been moderate and mission-driven, with the most recent material capital event being a 2024 Cigna Group Foundation health equity grant awarded as part of a $9M, three-year, 15-grantee cohort targeting Hartford, CT and Houston, TX.

Name

Charter Oak Health Center

Legal name

Charter Oak Health Center, Inc.

Website

https://thecharteroak.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Charter Oak Health Center is a nonprofit, Joint Commission-accredited Federally Qualified Health Center founded in 1978 in Hartford, CT, operating 17 sites that deliver comprehensive outpatient medical, dental, behavioral, and specialty care to underserved, uninsured, and underinsured residents of greater Hartford on a sliding-fee basis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Services

NAICS

Ambulatory Health Care Services (621), Offices of Physicians (62111), Other Outpatient Care Centers (62149)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Primary Care for Underserved Populations (e.g., migrant, homeless, refugee clinics) (HLAFAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mobile & Street Medicine Primary Care Programs (HLAFAGAH), Retail & Walk-In Primary Care Clinics (HLAFAGAC)

Keywords

• Community health services
• Primary medical care
• Behavioral health services
• Dental health services
• Federally qualified health center

Headquarters

HQ city

Hartford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Patient Service Revenue (Insured): Revenue from patients covered by Medicaid, Medicare, Husky Health, Access Health CT marketplace plans, and commercial insurance. Services billed include primary care, dental, behavioral health, specialty care, urgent care, pharmacy (340B), radiology, and lab.
2. Sliding Fee Scale Revenue: Discounted fees for uninsured and underinsured patients based on family size and household income at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Revenue recovery for services rendered on a sliding scale.
3. Federal 330 Grant (HRSA): Federal Public Health Service grant under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act as a Federally Qualified Health Center, providing operating support for care of underserved populations.
4. Donations & Foundation Grants: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting the health center's mission. Memorial and honorary gifts, corporate sponsorships, matching gifts, and in-kind donations are accepted.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Charter Oak Health Center delivers comprehensive outpatient community healthcare at 17 licensed sites across greater Hartford, including adult and pediatric primary care, behavioral health, women's health, dental, urgent care (7 days/week), optometry, podiatry, dermatology, chiropractic, radiology, lab, nutrition, case management, and an on-site 340B pharmacy. It also operates school-based health centers in four Hartford schools, shelter-based clinics for the homeless, and a mobile medical/dental van, with sliding-fee-scale billing so patients are served regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Product overview

Charter Oak Health Center is a federally qualified, freestanding, Joint Commission-accredited nonprofit community health center offering comprehensive healthcare services through a multi-site network of 17 licensed locations in the greater Hartford area. The organization provides a broad portfolio of coordinated clinical services organized around a primary care foundation. Core offerings include primary medical care (adult medicine and pediatrics), Behavioral Health Services, Women's Health, Dental, Urgent Care (open 7 days/week), Optometry, Podiatry, Dermatology, and Chiropractic Care. The center also operates specialized programs including a 340B Pharmacy with medication delivery, Nutrition Services with diabetes education, Case Management with Ryan White and Healthy Start programs, Homeless Health Care at shelter locations, and a Mobile Medical & Dental Van serving community locations. School-Based Health Centers operate at four Hartford schools. The organization delivers care through 54 exam rooms, 18 dental rooms, and 10 behavioral health treatment rooms at its flagship 21 Grand Street facility. Digital access is provided through the eClinicalWorks Patient Portal powered by Healow, enabling patients to manage appointments, view records, communicate with providers, and pay bills online. The center's integrated service model emphasizes whole-person care regardless of patients' ability to pay, supported by sliding fee scales and Medicaid enrollment assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary Medical Care Comprehensive adult and pediatric primary care services including routine check-ups, immunizations, chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, HIV/AIDS), preventive care, and health screenings, delivered to insured and uninsured patients regardless of ability to pay.
• Behavioral Health Services Mental health services for individuals ages 3 and up including individual therapy, group therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and addiction/recovery services; walk-in intake available; co-located with primary care for whole-person treatment.
• Women's Health Services Comprehensive gynecological and reproductive health services including annual exams, Pap smears, contraceptive counseling, IUD/Nexplanon insertion, prenatal care, labor/delivery coordination, postpartum care, colposcopies, endometrial biopsies, and menopausal management for women from adolescence through post-menopause.
• Dental Services Full-service dental care including preventive cleanings, digital X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, restorative dentistry (fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures), pediatric dentistry, emergency dental care, and periodontal treatments, delivered at the 21 Grand Street flagship's 18 dental rooms.
• Urgent Care Walk-in urgent care services open 7 days per week for minor injuries, illnesses, laceration repair, X-rays, rapid strep/flu testing, STD screening, and other immediate medical needs without emergency room wait times, with individualized attention for adult and pediatric patients.
• Optometry Services Eye care services including dilated eye exams, glasses prescriptions, diabetic eye exams, emergency eye care, diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions (cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration), and referrals to ophthalmologists.
• Podiatry Services Foot and ankle care including PinPointe laser treatment, wound care, diabetic foot care, fracture care, ingrown toenail procedures, orthotics, arthritis management, and surgical evaluations/referrals.
• Dermatology Services Skin, hair, and nail care treating acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, skin infections, rashes, moles, growths, discoloration, and providing skin cancer screenings. Referral from primary care may be required.
• Chiropractic Care Chiropractic evaluations and treatment for spine, nervous system, and overall wellness for patients of all ages, including on-site X-rays and diagnostics for back pain, neck pain, disc issues, joint disorders, and nerve compression, delivered at the 32 Grand Street site.
• Radiology & Lab Services On-site diagnostic services including X-ray imaging, diagnostic laboratory testing, blood work, specimen collection, and point-of-care testing for coordinated and timely patient care.
• Homeless Health Care Mobile medical and behavioral health services delivered at four Hartford-area homeless shelters (ImmaCare, South Park Inn, YWCA, Open Hearth), offering primary care, preventive care, sick visits, care coordination, and referrals to ongoing care.
• Mobile Medical & Dental Van State-of-the-art mobile health unit that brings medical, dental, behavioral health, preventive care, and lab testing directly to community locations including parks, libraries, neighborhoods, and shelters throughout Hartford on a weekly schedule.
• 340B Pharmacy On-site FQHC 340B pharmacy providing reduced-cost prescriptions for eligible uninsured and chronic-disease patients, medication counseling, therapy management for chronic conditions, prior authorization assistance, and home delivery for qualified patients.
• Nutrition Services Comprehensive nutrition services including individual and family dietary counseling, weight management programs, Cooking Matters program, diabetes education, foodshare mobile food site, grocery store tours, and nutrition classes.
• Case Management Care coordination services including Ryan White Program enrollment, Healthy Start Program assistance, PCMH+ coordination, connections to medical care and social services, health education, and advocacy for patients.
• School-Based Health Centers Health services provided on-site at four Hartford schools (A.I. Prince Technical High School, Capital Preparatory Magnet School, Classical Magnet School, Noah Webster Microsociety Magnet School), offering medical and behavioral health care during school hours with parental consent.
• Patient Portal (eClinicalWorks/Healow) Secure online patient portal providing 24/7 access to medical records, lab results, medication management, appointment scheduling, secure messaging with providers, virtual visits, eCheck-in, and Healow Pay for bill payments, supporting multilingual access and family proxy management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves patients regardless of insurance status through sliding fee scale for those at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Charter Oak State CollegeminorOthersNote: This news article references Charter Oak State College (Connecticut's public online college), which shares the 'Charter Oak' name but is a distinct entity from Charter Oak Health Center. It is not a partnership of the health center.
• eClinicalWorkscoreTechnology or IntegrationCharter Oak Health Center uses the eClinicalWorks Electronic Health Record system and its associated Patient Portal for electronic medical records management, patient scheduling, and secure provider-patient communication. The Healow platform (by eClinicalWorks) provides the patient-facing mobile app and portal for 24/7 access to records, appointments, billing, and virtual visits.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Wheeler Clinic: Connecticut-based nonprofit providing integrated behavioral health, primary care, and community-based services with a comparable safety-net orientation and patient population, though a smaller primary-care footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Hartford HealthCare: Large regional hospital and outpatient network that competes for primary-care and specialty referrals in greater Hartford and overlaps Charter Oak's service area with broader inpatient and ambulatory capabilities.
• Trinity Health Of New England: Regional Catholic health system operating multiple hospitals and outpatient sites across Connecticut that compete with Charter Oak for primary-care patients and underserved community referrals.

Direct peers

• Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center: New Haven-based FQHC delivering primary care, dental, behavioral health, and enabling services to underserved populations—an identical FQHC operating model to Charter Oak, just on a different Connecticut geography.
• Generations Family Health Center: Eastern Connecticut FQHC providing primary care, behavioral health, dental, and care coordination with a sliding-fee model matching Charter Oak's service mix.
• Community Health Center, Inc. (Moses/Weitzman Health System): Federally Qualified Health Center operating a large multi-site network across Connecticut with primary care, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and specialty services—sharing Charter Oak's FQHC structure, integrated-service model, and Connecticut safety-net mandate.
• Fair Haven Community Health Care: FQHC serving greater New Haven with primary care, behavioral health, and social-support services to a comparable underserved, multi-lingual patient population.
• United Community and Family Services: Southeastern Connecticut FQHC with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and OB/GYN serving a similar underserved, sliding-fee population.
• Staywell Health Center: Waterbury-based FQHC offering an integrated suite of primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to underserved Greater Waterbury residents—directly comparable operating model.
• Optimus Health Care: Bridgeport-based FQHC operating school-based health centers and multi-site primary care, dental, and behavioral health services—closely comparable in mission and multi-channel delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thecharteroak.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/charter-oak-health-center-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/charter_oak_health_center
• Xx.com/The_Charter_Oak

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Charter Oak Health Center