The Journey of Our Health

by | Oct 15, 2024 | Community Initiatives

The Journey of Our Health

A Commitment to Community Wellness

As Our Health successfully transitions to fiscal autonomy, reflecting on our roots and the mission that drives us forward is important. Throughout our history, we have remained committed to strengthening community wellness and expanding access to essential services.

Learn More

A Community-Driven Foundation

In 1996, Valley Health System (VHS) conducted a community-needs assessment to identify ways to enhance local services. After reviewing the findings, leaders recognized that creating a nonprofit community campus would be the most effective way to improve both physical and mental health services. This approach would ensure that resources align with the diverse needs of our population.

With this vision in mind, we adopted the name Our Health to reflect our mission.

Establishing Our Health

In 1999, Our Health launched as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the goal of creating a centralized campus where local agencies could co-locate and operate more efficiently. This innovative strategy aimed to reduce service duplication and improve overall service delivery.

Support from VHS, the City of Winchester, and the surrounding counties of Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, and Warren played a crucial role in bringing this vision to life. Together, we transformed a fragmented system into a streamlined network, ensuring that community members could access care without unnecessary obstacles.

    Overcoming Barriers to Access

    Before Our Health’s establishment, many individuals faced significant challenges in obtaining basic services. Long wait times and transportation difficulties made it hard to reach scattered agencies, many of which operated from temporary or inadequate spaces.

    Our Health revolutionized this process by uniting multiple services under one roof. By doing so, we eliminated transportation barriers and ensured that assistance remains available when it is needed most. As a result, individuals can now access critical resources in a timely and efficient manner.

    A Lifeline for the Northern Shenandoah Valley

    Today, Our Health has centralized nearly every essential service in one location. This transformation extends beyond mere convenience. It has become a vital lifeline for many in the Northern Shenandoah Valley, offering crucial support during difficult times.

    Looking to the Future

    As we move forward, we invite you to support Our Health. Your donations will help sustain daily operations and contribute to an endowment fund that guarantees long-term financial stability. This fund will allow us to remain independent while continuing to provide affordable spaces, essential services, and volunteer opportunities for the agencies that serve our community.

    Thank you for being part of Our Health’s journey. Together, we can continue making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.

    Resource Links:

     

    Join Our Community

    Become a part of our vibrant community by subscribing to our newsletter. Stay informed about local health initiatives and discover ways to get involved. Together, we can make a difference in our community's well-being.

    Sign Up Now

    Follow Our Health VA on Social!

    Daniel Rose

    Volunteer Action Center Coordinator

    Daniel Rose joined Our Health as the Volunteer Action Center Coordinator in 2012. Mr. Rose came to Our Health with a wealth of experience in volunteer leadership, public speaking, and marketing and public relations. In 2015 he was promoted to Director of Operations, managing all aspects of campus buildings and grounds work and supervising all maintenance and custodial staff members.

     His past experience includes 16 years in the construction industry including owning and operating Rose Construction, Inc., specializing in stucco, tile and stone work. He has his Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Theology with a minor in Counseling from the Nazarene Bible College, and served as an Associate and Lead Pastor while in Colorado. He has led many teams of volunteers during mission trips to several countries in Africa. On one mission trip in 2001, while employed with Global Samaritans, Dan led a crew of volunteers to build two orphanages, a school and a visitor’s center in Zambia. 

    Rose and his family moved to Winchester in 2009 from Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Dan joined the non-profit organization RPJ Housing in 2009. In this position he worked with community leaders and City staff to help low income local residents obtain needed home repair assistance. He assessed safety and repair requirements primarily in homes of low income elderly who wished to remain in their homes. He was responsible for reviewing applications for program eligibility and networking in the community for volunteers and local businesses and corporations to provide construction materials and labor needed for each project.

    Our Health is pleased to have Dan on our team and grateful for the extensive background he brings to our campus. 

    Beth Loque

    Finance Manager

    Beth Louque graduated Magna Cum Laude with her BBA in Accounting from Georgia State University. After college, Beth worked for the Prudential Insurance Company of America. She specifically focused on their managed healthcare division as an accountant, financial analyst and business analyst. Before coming to Our Health Beth was busy raising her two children and actively volunteering at their school. Beth joined Our Health in August of 2010 as the Finance Manager.

    Beth and her husband moved from Atlanta to Winchester after their oldest child was born in 1999 to be closer to family.  They love the area and enjoy being active in the community.  Beth enjoys spending time outdoors especially skiing at Bryce Resort during the winter season.

    Mary Falu

    Administrative Assistant and Office Manager

    Mary joined Our Health in December 2008 as the Administrative Assistant and Office Manager. In December 2017 she took the position of Volunteer Action Center Coordinator while continuing as Office Manager.  Prior to her role with Our Health, she worked at DK Industrial Services as a Payroll Administrator and spent thirteen years with VDO in Human Resources. She served from 1979-1986 in the United States Army in the Military Intelligence Division and made Sergeant before leaving the military. Mary has many career achievements but holds proudly the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.

    She graduated Summa Cum Laude and was on the Presidents and Deans list while acquiring her Associates Degree in Administrative Support from Lord Fairfax Community College. She pursues ongoing education courses which interest her and has certificates in Graphic Design Office Assistant, Office Systems Assistant and Desktop Publishing Technician.

    Mary was born in Silver City, NM but has lived most of her life in Capon Bridge, WV. She has two sons, a daughter-in-law and three grandsons who are the light of her life.  Family has always been very important to her and she feels blessed with a strong family that has supported her through life. She enjoys walking, going to the gym and traveling.
    .
    Our Health Moment:
    “ I have been working with Our Health 12 years and feel a very strong connection with them. This is my first experience in the world of non-profits and I find it very rewarding to work for an agency that I believe in and feel is helping to improve the lives of others through the agencies that we support.”

    Sharen Gromling

    Executive Director

    Sharen joined Our Health as the Executive Director in April 2010. As administrator, she is charged with the responsibility for implementing the policies and programs of Our Health.  Sharen worked for the City of Winchester for nearly 30 years, retiring as Director of Administration and Human Resources. She administered the human resources function for the City’s 500+ employees, grants, training and employee development, and marketing and public information.  

    Sharen has a passion for training. Since 2009 she has been a trainer for Business and Industry at Lord Fairfax Community College Workforce Solutions.  She conducts trainings in Leadership, HR Management, Board Governance, Strategic Planning, Conflict Mediation, Ethics, Public Administration and Developing Effective Teams.

    Sharen has both a bachelor and master’s degree of art, psychology from University of Richmond. In her career, she has acquired her Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) Certification, Conflict Mediation Certification through Shenandoah University and a HR Trainer certificate through Development Dimensions International.

    Community involvement is also a passion for Sharen. She validates this through her various roles: Member and Past President of Winchester Rotary Club, Vice President of Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, Past Board of Directors for Shenandoah University Center for Public Service and Scholarship and Virginia Youth Ballet, member and Past President of the Winchester Society of Human Resource Management and the International Personnel Management Association-Virginia Chapter.

    Her commitment to the City of Winchester is clear with her many years of service. She had the opportunity to Co-Chair the City of Winchester’s All America City Team on its journey to achieve this national recognition.  This award is coveted by communities throughout the United States and the competition is fierce.  The application process requires the City to select three programs that have been implemented in the community that have made a positive difference in people’s lives.  One of those chosen was the Our Health story.  “As I learned of the success of this program I was amazed at its uniqueness and its important role in serving the needs of the region’s non-profits and public service agencies.  Through this I had the opportunity to meet and work with many people whose lives were changed for the better because of this collaborative model.  To serve on this team was one of the major highlights of my public service career.  Our team went on to win this coveted title thanks in large part to the Our Health story.  Little did I know at the time that five years later I would have the opportunity to serve as its Executive Director! Coincidence – I think not.”

    Our Health Moment:
    “I am excited to have the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of Our Health, Inc.  This organization is dedicated to serving our many partners so that they can serve the needs of the community.  My passion in life is service and I am dedicated to living the Rotary Motto – Service above Self.  I have been fortunate in my life to have many opportunities to serve others through both my work and volunteerism.  This position in particular allows me to use my skill set to help others be able to better meet the needs of the clients they serve.  If Our Health can make it easier for our partners to do their work, then we have succeeded.  Our team of employees at Our Health is dedicated to make this happen and I am fortunate to be a part of this mission.  “

    Lou Ling

    Managing Director

    Fusce eu felis dolor. Duis efficitur eget enim at sagittis. Sed non fermentum tortor, nec vestibulum est. Morbi interdum orci ut diam vestibulum sodales. Praesent in volutpat odio, molestie lacinia tortor. Ut pulvinar mattis lacus vitae vehicula. Donec condimentum tellus ut magna tempor sodales. Nam felis lectus, vehicula id dictum eget, pretium eu mi. Nam vel nibh vel turpis lobortis vulputate at at eros. In consectetur odio quis felis malesuada interdum. Praesent in.

    Send Us a Message

    How My Success Started

    Mary Neuschweinstein, CEO of EthicPower Ltd.

    In publishing and graphic design, lorem ipsum is common placeholder text used to demonstrate the graphic elements of a document or visual presentation, such as web pages, typography, and graphical layout. It is a form of "greeking".

    Even though using "lorem ipsum" often arouses curiosity due to its resemblance to classical Latin, it is not intended to have meaning. Where text is visible in a document, people tend to focus on the textual content rather than upon overall presentation, so publishers use lorem ipsum when displaying a typeface or design in order to direct the focus to presentation. "Lorem ipsum" also approximates a typical distribution of letters in English. 

    In publishing and graphic design, lorem ipsum is common placeholder text used to demonstrate the graphic elements of a document or visual presentation, such as web pages, typography, and graphical layout. It is a form of "greeking".

    Even though using "lorem ipsum" often arouses curiosity due to its resemblance to classical Latin, it is not intended to have meaning. Where text is visible in a document, people tend to focus on the textual content rather than upon overall presentation, so publishers use lorem ipsum when displaying a typeface or design in order to direct the focus to presentation. "Lorem ipsum" also approximates a typical distribution of letters in English.

    +49 856 9568 95

    info@email.com

    39 Lion Street
    London

    Integer maximus vitae metus id consequat. Quisque quis lorem vitae ante egestas eleifend et eget ante. Fusce hendrerit commodo felis. Nullam tempus lobortis ullamcorper.

    Send Us a Message