WELCOME TO THUNDERMIST
Thundermist Health Center is a federally qualified community health center, serving Woonsocket, West Warwick, and South County for more than 50 years.
In 1969, a few dedicated individuals realized Woonsocket needed a place to provide quality healthcare to the people who need it most. What started with a few people volunteering their time out of a public housing complex became a full-fledged health center just few years later. In 2001, Thundermist merged with the Health Center of South County and in 2003 established a comprehensive health center and a school-based health center in West Warwick. In 2005, we renovated an old warehouse in Woonsocket into a flagship health center. In 2011, we opened the state’s first health center site fully designed as a patient centered medical home, converting an old mill building in West Warwick. Also in 2011, Thundermist was the first Rhode Island community health center to achieve patient centered medical home accreditation from NCQA; we are now NCQA accredited at the highest level in all of our eligible departments. Thundermist receives Health & Human Services funding and has Federal Public Health Services deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.
Thundermist Health Center’s goal is to bring healthcare to the people who need it most.
We have grown and developed new programs to meet patient demand. Thundermist patients struggle with transportation challenges, substance abuse disorders, homelessness, unemployment or underemployment, and many other issues. Thundermist now serves more than 62,000 patients–or 1 in 18 Rhode Islanders.
Thundermist follows the National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services.
We provide translators as needed and employ a diverse workforce. All of our buildings are fully accessible to patients and staff with mobility challenges.
Thundermist understands that as a healthcare provider we have a responsibility to improve the health of our patients that extends beyond the exam room. This drives our commitment to health and wellness services and health advocacy work. Non-clinical programs of which we are very proud include our participation in Health Equity Zones and our community garden and farmers markets.
Learn More About Thundermist’s History
Back in 2009, in honor of our 40th anniversary, Thundermist worked with David DelPoio and Scott Kingsley of AllNightVideo to create a look back at how a community health movement that took flight in 1969 evolved into a thriving health center with locations across Rhode Island serving tens of thousands of patients from all walks of life. Learn more about how Thundermist planted it roots and has continued to grow.