The Bluegrass Community Health Center, a sponsored program of Eastern Kentucky University, is dedicated to contributing to the lives of patients through the compassionate provision of comprehensive primary healthcare.
BCHC provides preventative and primary healthcare for pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients at Lexington clinics. Services include acute care, chronic disease management, adult and pediatric physicals, well-child exams, immunizations and counseling. Case management is available to facilitate patients’ connection with social services and specialist referrals, including diagnostic procedures, dental care and radiology. BCHC’s dedication to serving a diverse population encouraged the employment of many Spanish/English bilingual employees to supplement Language Line interpreting service.
The BCHC was originally established in 2001, with a federal 330 health center grant to serve local farm workers. In 2007, additional grant funding awards allowed an expansion to serve the greater community, including low income families, the homeless, the uninsured, and Medicaid and KCHIP recipients. Uninsured patients receive services based on a sliding fee scale. Most private insurance is also accepted.
From just over 900 patients in its first year, BCHC grew to serve over 6,000 patients in 2008 and projects further growth in the coming years. BCHC is currently welcoming new patients.
As many of Kentucky's migrant and seasonal workers are Spanish speakers, the BCHC employees bilingual staff who speak English and Spanish and utilizes language line interpretation to ensure that all patients have access to clinic services. Additional services that embrace the farmworker community include extended clinic hours, outreach services, and culturally responsive programming. 
Target Population: The BCHC strives to provide primary and preventative health care that is responsive to the needs of the Central Kentucky community.
Student Involvement: Each year, numerous students rotate through the BCHC, learning valuable skills that will enable them to advocate for vulnerable populations in their future careers. In 2005, over 70 students from various local institutions worked with the BCHC.
Community Needs Assessments: In an effort to understand the cultural factors that influence patient need and access to health care, the BCHC conducts on-going needs assessments of its target population. The center has also undertaken a Bi-national Community Assessment to gain a better understanding of the Mexican states that send the most migrants to Kentucky.
Awards and Recognitions: The Bluegrass Farmworker Health Center has been recognized by the following organizations for its outstanding work with Kentucky's farmworker and Hispanic communities:
- Asociación de Hispanos Unidos (2005): Hispanic Association Service Award
- Farmworker Health Services, Inc (2005): Cecilia B. Abhold Award for Excellence in Farmworker Health Outreach
- North Central Area Health Education Center and Promotores de Salud (2006)
