About

A Legacy of Care Since 1967

Open Cities Health Center began in the basement of St. James AME Church in St. Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood. Founded by volunteers and community leaders—many of them pioneering African American women—the clinic provided immunizations and health education to underserved residents.

Growth Rooted in Community

With support from the Model Cities Program, the clinic expanded in the 1970s to offer medical, maternal, podiatry, and vision care. It became a nonprofit in 1985 and moved to its own facility under the leadership of Dr. Beverley Oliver Hawkins.

Expanding Access Across the Metro

In the 2000s, Open Cities moved to Dunlap Street and opened a second clinic on Rice Street. In 2003, we adopted the name Open Cities Health Center to reflect our broad and diverse patient base across the Twin Cities.

Our Mission Continues

We remain committed to equity, dignity, and wellness for all. From our church basement roots to today’s multi-site services, we continue to care for our community with compassion, integrity, and purpose.

OUR MISSION

Open Cities Health Center provides accessible and high-quality healthcare services to all residents in the Twin Cities.

VISION

To be the preferred provider of choice for accessible, compassionate, and high-quality healthcare in our community.

CORE VALUES

Open Cities Health Center (OCHC) understands that employees play different but equally important roles. Everyone associated with OCHC must recognize the impact their role plays in our overall success. The success and future opportunities for individual employees is built around the overall success of the organization. Our practices remain consistent with OCHC’s mission and strategic plan. Because of this, staff, volunteers, and contractors strive to live by our values of:

Patient-Centered Care

We put our patients first, delivering compassionate, respectful, and personalized care that meets their unique needs.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

We collaborate with our community to provide holistic care that addresses medical, social, and economic well-being.

Excellence & Innovation

We commit to the highest standards of medical care, embracing new technologies and best practices to improve patient outcomes.

Whole-Person Wellness

We treat more than symptoms, addressing physical, mental, and social health to support lifelong well-being.

Integrity & Accountability

We build trust through transparency and responsible stewardship of resources.

Open Cities Health Center’s Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse and committed group of volunteers.

The board is responsible for overseeing the overall health and well-being of the organization. They evaluate and provide direction for the mission, vision, values, operations, finances, and policies of Open Cities Health Center.

Howard Chaney
Board Chair

Ana Diaz, MD
Vice Chair

Lydia Carlson
Board Secretary

Todd Hurley
Finance Committee Chair

Gabriela Vazquez-Benitez, PhD
QI Committee Chair

Pastor Alethea Chaney
Nominations Committee Chair

Darius Collins
Board Member

Carroll Hawkins
Board Member

Pamela Ngunjiri
Board Member

Join Our Board

Our board members have deep roots in the local community. Over half choose Open Cities Health Center as their primary clinic.

This connection to the local community allows our board members to bring a valued diversity of experiences and ideas that help us continue to improve and provide community health with a heart.

BECOME A BOARD MEMBER

Building a Healthier Community with Our Partners

Open Cities is proud to collaborate with a diverse network of organizations that share our commitment to improving health outcomes and strengthening our community. These valuable partnerships enable us to expand our services, resources, and reach to better serve the health and wellness needs of all community members.