When it comes to improving health outcomes in Westchester County, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are on the frontlines. One of the strongest voices in this effort is Judith Watson, President and CEO of Westchester Community Health Center (WCHC).
Ms. Watson has been with WCHC for 31 years, rising through the ranks from nurse to CEO. She is also a U.S. Army veteran and an immigrant from Jamaica. Her lived experience and professional background fuel her conviction: “As a Black woman raised in this community, having experienced some, if not all, of the needs of those served by the SCN — I am that person.”
A safety net born from the Civil Rights era
Founded in 1972 as Westchester’s first Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), WCHC was established to serve as a safety net for Medicaid recipients, the uninsured, and immigrant populations. Today, the center operates nine sites with more than 300 employees, a $41 million budget, and 40,000 patients, providing comprehensive medical, dental, pediatric, OB/GYN, behavioral health, and specialty care services.
What sets WCHC apart, Watson emphasizes, are the “wraparound services” that address social drivers of health. These include on-site enrollment in health plans, transportation support, food programs, and case management. “We do everything — a 360 approach,” Watson explains. “We take care of all of the needs of our patients, except housing. For that, we tap into our partners in the network.”
Why WCHC joined the Social Care Network
While WCHC has been addressing patients’ social needs for over 50 years, joining the Hudson Valley Social Care Network (SCN) provided recognition, infrastructure, and new resources to support this work.
“The Social Care Network provides recognition of this need and an infrastructure that brings multiple partners together,” Watson notes. “It helps us deliver services in a more coordinated way.”
The center has dedicated staff administering screenings for health-related social needs (HRSNs) using the SCN’s standardized tools and Unite Us platform. These screenings help identify needs like nutrition, transportation, and care navigation, and generate referrals to partners who can provide direct support outside of WCHC’s services, like housing assistance.
A call to providers
To other providers who are considering joining the SCN, Watson offers this perspective:
“The needs of the recipients of this program cross all racial and socioeconomic lines. If not today, inevitably, we’ll all want to know these services are in place — if not for us personally, then for someone we know. These services are not just for who you may think.”
Building community, celebrating community
As WCHC continues to advance access to quality health care, the organization is also celebrating its legacy and future. On December 9, 2025, WCHC will host its annual gala at the Glen Island Harbor Club in New Rochelle, honoring Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and longtime WCHC physician and Deputy Medical Director Glenn A. Davis, MD. The event will support vital community health programs and bring together partners and supporters who share in WCHC’s mission. Learn more about the gala.
