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Direct Relief’s Power for Health Initiative Brings Resilient Power to Pennsylvania Community Health Center

New solar and battery energy storage system at North Side Christian Health Center helps ensure patients can continue accessing healthcare during power outages and emergencies.

News

Resilient Power

Solar panels are installed on the roofline of North Side Christian Health Center, a federally qualified health center serving residents of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities, regardless of their ability to pay. (Courtesy photo)
By Brea Burkholz

Direct Relief today announced the completion of a new solar and battery energy storage system at North Side Christian Health Center, or NSCHC, the first project in Pennsylvania to become operational through the organization’s Power for Health Initiative. The resilient power system will help the federally qualified health center maintain essential healthcare services during power outages and other emergencies.

Direct Relief has committed more than $34 million to resilient power projects at community health centers and other safety-net healthcare providers across the United States through its Power for Health Initiative. These investments help healthcare facilities maintain essential services before, during, and after disasters by protecting vaccine supplies, preserving access to electronic medical records, supporting virtual care, and ensuring continuity of care for patients when electrical service is disrupted.

“When the power goes out, people don’t stop needing healthcare. In fact, that’s often when they need it most,” said Sara Rossi, Managing Director of Direct Relief’s Health Resiliency Fund. “As the first project in Pennsylvania to become operational through Direct Relief’s Power for Health Initiative, North Side Christian Health Center joins a growing nationwide network of safety-net health facilities investing in resilient power to help ensure patients can continue receiving care during emergencies.”

Northside Christian Health staff look over temperature-sensitive medications at the clinic. The health center now has a resilient power system, which will help maintain refrigerated medications in case of an outage. (Courtesy photo)

The project was made possible through philanthropic support from Direct Relief, Invest in Our Future, and The Pittsburgh Foundation, enabling North Side Christian Health Center to complete this critical infrastructure investment without diverting resources from patient care.

The new system was celebrated during a ceremonial switch-on event held at North Side Christian Health Center, marking the completion of the project and the beginning of service to patients.

“Today represents more than the completion of a solar project. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that patients can access care when they need it most,” said Bethany Blackburn, CEO of North Side Christian Health Center. “This investment strengthens our ability to serve the community during emergencies while safeguarding critical healthcare resources and preserving continuity of care.”

The celebration, held during National Community Health Center Week, brought together Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Mayor Corey O’Connor, community leaders, funders, and project partners to recognize the milestone and celebrate the partnerships that made it possible.

The project reflects the collaboration among North Side Christian Health Center, Direct Relief, Invest in Our Future, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Collective Energy, and other community partners committed to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving community resilience.

Staff at North Side Christian Health Center’s Middle Street Clinic. (Courtesy photo)

“This effort perfectly aligns with The Pittsburgh Foundation’s priorities of supporting the community, cultivating partnerships and leveraging resources for exceptional sustained impact,” said Dr. Michael Yonas, Vice President for Community Partnerships and Learning at The Pittsburgh Foundation. “Building on a longstanding relationship with the North Side Christian Health Center, we are excited to facilitate and support an effort that brings together local leaders, innovative partners and national funders to create lasting impact for our region.”

The project demonstrates how healthcare providers, philanthropic organizations, clean energy developers, and community partners can work together to strengthen healthcare resilience and help community health centers prepare for future emergencies.

“Collective Energy was founded with the realization that power is a prerequisite for health and because health centers like North Side Christian needed a trusted partner and ally to assist them in bringing a project like this to fruition,” said Andrew MacCalla, Co-Founder and CEO of Collective Energy. “We’re honored to be their lead partner in this critical project so they can stay focused on what they do best: providing quality healthcare to anyone who walks through the doors. And now they can do it with the knowledge that it won’t be interrupted due to power loss.”

“As a community health center, our mission is to provide accessible, high-quality care for everyone who walks through our doors,” Blackburn added. “This project helps ensure we can continue fulfilling that mission, even during unexpected disruptions.”

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