FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2015
Contact:
Amy Downing – Director of Marketing (630) 482-8113
Dr. Gary Ahasic receives National Award for Volunteer Service on VNA Health Care Board
Dr. Gary Ahasic recently accepted the Consumer Board Dedication Award, one of the National
Association of Community Health Center’s (NACHC) Awards of Excellence, for his volunteer service on
the Board of Directors for VNA Health Care. The award honors a board member who exemplifies a high
level of interest in, and dedication to, the delivery of primary health care services and the communities
in which these services are provided.
“It is a great honor to receive the Consumer Board Dedication Award, and a privilege to serve my
community and work to assure that primary health care services are readily available to everyone,” said
Dr. Ahasic.
Dr. Ahasic joined VNA’s Board of Directors in 1981 and has held several leadership positions, currently
serving as Chairman of the Board. In 2006, he chaired VNA’s first Capital Campaign and has provided
support and leadership during the opening of seven VNA facilities between 2006 and 2015.
Dr. Ahasic is a founding partner of Fairview Dental Clinic in Aurora. He served as Past President of the
Aurora Dental Society and is currently President of the Fox River Valley Dental Society, a chapter of the
Illinois State Dental Society. Since 2003, Dr. Ahasic has been ranked by the Consumers Research Council
of America as one of America's Top Dentists and received the Top Doctor - Chicago award in 2011 from
the Chicago Magazine. He holds the Community Champion Award from the Compassion Foundation for
his work to improve the lives of the vulnerable members of this community. He was also awarded the
Kane County Hidden Heroes Award in honor of his co-founding of the Dentist with a Heart program.
“I am very thankful for Dr. Ahasic’s commitment to VNA and for his leadership, especially during this
period of rapid growth and expansion,” commented Linnea Windel, President & CEO of VNA Health
Care.
In his acceptance of this award, Dr. Ahasic paid tribute to the founders of VNA and its 97-year history of
providing outstanding patient care to the most vulnerable members of the communities it serves. Dr.
Ahasic also shared with attendees the news that VNA will be opening a new health center in Joliet this
autumn and completing construction of a 22 exam room Health Center in Romeoville in January, 2016.
These facilities will serve over 94,000 low-income people struggling to access affordable health care
within those communities. VNA is currently seeking philanthropic support from the community in order
to bring this care to the people who need it most.
VNA Health Care provides affordable health care to over 61,000 women, men and children
living primarily in Kane, DuPage, and Will counties. VNA runs nine community health centers
and is nationally ranked as a top performing health center as a result of patient outcomes such
as prenatal care, adolescent weight screening and counseling, vascular disease treatment, blood
pressure control, healthy birthweights, and asthma care. VNA’s combination of convenience (by
appointment or walk-in), patient-centered technology and expert care delivered with respect and
compassion have led to these results. VNA is accredited by The Joint Commission.
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