Spectrum Health Services, Inc.
From one clinic in 1967 to the Vaux Community Health Center in 2026, serving Philadelphia communities.
Spectrum at a glance
- 1967 Founded as Better Family Planning, Inc.
- 36,000 sq. ft. $14 million facility at 5201 Haverford Avenue, opened September 27, 2013
- Level-3 Patient-Centered Medical Home, recognized by NCQA in 2017
- 2026 Opened the Vaux Community Health Center at 2300 W. Master Street
Better Family Planning
1967–1970
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1967
In 1967, Carolyn G. Baxter was one of the founders and CEO of Better Family Planning, Inc., a private non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation which opened Greater St. Matthews Medical Health Center as its first clinic.
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1968
In 1968, Better Family Planning opened the Christian Street Medical Health Center located at 2053 Christian Street, the Clara Baldwin Medical Health Center located at 2136 North 27th Street and the Haven House Medical Health Center located at 5900 Pine Street.
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1969–1970
In 1969, Better Family Planning opened the Broad Street Health Center, followed by the opening of the Jones Memorial Medical Health Center located at 1937 West Dauphin Street in 1970.
Becoming Spectrum Health Services
1983–1998
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1983
By 1983, Better Family Planning received its designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) by the D.H.H.S.
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1984
In 1984 the organization officially changed its name from Better Family Planning to Spectrum Health Services, Inc. and opened the Haddington Health Center and began the delivery of primary care health services.
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1991
In 1991, Spectrum was instrumental in the establishment of the first in-house school-based health program for students at the Mayer Sulzberger Middle School in West Philadelphia. The funding for this program ended in April 2000.
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1994
In 1994, the Broad Street Health Center began offering primary care services and the Haddington Health Center Site expanded from 1,000 square feet to 9,229 square feet.
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1998
By 1998, Spectrum’s Haddington Health Center began offering family planning, prenatal, pediatric, and adult health care services and fostered the continuity of care through relationships with Children’s Hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Mercy Catholic Hospital, and Pennsylvania Hospital.
2001–2002: A lasting legacy
Ms. Baxter passed suddenly in 2001. In 2002, the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) created the Carolyn G. Baxter Lifetime Achievement Award.
Phyllis B. Cater succeeded Ms. Baxter as the Chief Executive Officer.
A new home on Haverford Avenue
2011–2014
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2011–2013
In the spring of 2011, Spectrum began planning for the construction of a new $14 million, 36,000 sq. ft. facility located at 5201 Haverford Avenue and held a groundbreaking in July 12, 2012 with an official ribbon cutting and opening on September 27, 2013.
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2014
In 2014, Spectrum began providing dental services in its 8 operatories and state-of-the-art dental suite. Spectrum’s Haverford Health center earned LEED Silver Certification and began opening the Reed Street Health Center to expand services in South Philadelphia.
Recognition and growth
2017–2026
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2017
In 2017, Spectrum was recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a Level-3 Patient-Centered Medical Home, the highest designation for health centers and celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
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2019
In 2019, Veronica Hill-Milbourne, RN, MS, JD took the helm as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum.
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2023
In 2023, Spectrum opened its fourth location at 3525 Cottman Avenue to serve individuals in the Northeast communities of Philadelphia.
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2026
In 2026, Spectrum opened its Vaux Community Health Center at 2300 W. Master Street.
