Your Health Matters
Spotlight of the Month
By JS Lyons
The Love of God Being Demonstrated at Ashland Christian Health Center
God is Love, and what better way to celebrate Valentines Day 2026 than to highlight the love demonstrated by the most caring institution in Ashland Ohio, the Ashland Christian Health Center (ACHC). I am honored to announce that the very first Monthly Spotlight in Your Health Matters will begin with highlighting this exemplary community service.
The Ashland Christian Health Center has served the Ashland area with charitable compassionate holistic (mind, body, and spirit) health care since August 19, 2003, providing a “Link to Hope” for Ashland County Residents.
When I think of the 125+ volunteers providing 3,118 hours of selfless service, I see a reflection of the story of The Good Samaritan. This commitment to excellent care demonstrates the love of Jesus, being His hands, His feet, and His heart in the Ashland community. In a 2023 ACHC video “To Him Who is Able”, volunteer Medical Director, Dr. Snyder sums it up clearly by saying, “The minute they walk through the door, they know they are loved.”
History of The Ashland Christian Health Center
In 2002, the planning stages of the health center began with a handful of faithful doctors and nurses praying for the mission. Dr. Snyder demonstrated the faith that God was able to provide medical care for the uninsured and underinsured in Ashland, Ohio, by ending each email communication with “To Him who is able,” before signing his own name.
In August of 2003, that faith became sight, when the Ashland Christian Health Center began providing care for underserved individuals in two rooms at Pump House Ministries. Then in 2009 the clinic moved to the Frank Miller Memorial Building at 380 E. 4th Street. In 2012, a generous anonymous donor donated the monies which allowed ACHC to take full ownership of the Frank Miller Medical Building. Since then, the Frank Miller building has had continual upgrades and improvements.
The Ashland Christian Health center has been providing holistic charitable health care in a Christ centered atmosphere in our community for 23 years. “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
ACHC Mission
The mission of Ashland Christian Health Center is to holistically care for and elevate the dignity of Ashland County Residents who are uninsured, or under insured, in a Christ-centered atmosphere.
The purpose of the Ashland Christian Health Center is to:
- Provide excellent holistic healthcare treating one another with dignity and glory to God.
- Point those we serve to Jesus Christ as the source of healing and hope in all of our lives.
- Identify gaps in the provision of holistic health care for Ashland Area residents with limited resources.
- Develop programs consistent with our beliefs to fill these gaps. We will work cooperatively with other organizations in the community.
Years of Service and Dedication
Dr. Snyder has been the volunteer Medical Director since the doors opened in 2003; however, he is not alone in his mission to care for Ashland residents. He is surrounded by a multidisciplinary team of professional providers and support staff. In 2014, The clinic added full time Executive Director, Cheryl Benway, and then in 2016, Misty Welch was onboarded as the full time, RN Nursing Director.
The Ashland Christian Health Center has provided years of dedicated professional medical services, partnering with health care facilities in Ashland, Mansfield, and Wooster, to ensure the best possible care is provided for their patients. ACHC continued to increase their ability to provide their patient’s needs by generating and operating an in-house lab, and a patient medication assistance program with free or reduced cost medications.
One of the more recent milestones accomplished by the ACHC team is the addition of Chronic Disease Education Classes provided by a nurse educator. Education is key for maintaining the health of the individual. This service is a valuable addition to the ACHC mission.
The Ashland Christian Health Center is a non-profit 501 (C) organization, served by a volunteer board of directors:
- Ted Deter, Board Chairman
- Theresa Watson, Board Vice Chairman
- Curby Slone, Treasurer
- Tracy Crum, DNP Secretary
- Joe Conkle, Board Member
- Blake Chorpening, Board Member
- Tracey Counts, Board Member
- Amiel Jarstfer, Board Member
- Nikki McBride, Board Member
- Ray Rottman, Board Member
The clinic is serviced by volunteers, providing a multidisciplinary health care team approach.
- Nine local medical providers
- Pharmacists
- Nurse Practitioners
- RN’s, LPN’s
- Social Services
- Respiratory Therapists
- Chronic Disease and Diabetic Educator
- Durable Medical Equipment Coordinator
- Lab Techs
- Medical office staff
- Other ancillary volunteers
Fundraisers and Events
There are so many ways that the community pulls together to support the center, but there are currently three main fundraising events. The Annual Fundraising Dinner, Chocolate & More, and their recently added, but no less amazing Christmas Fundraising Sale.
On January 22nd, 2026, The Ashland Christian Health Center held their 11th annual fundraising dinner. At this gala event, Misty Welch, RN, Nursing Director graciously thanked all the volunteers, generous donors, and the community of support. And then she said one thing that really stood out to me, “Even if we only help one person, they matter.”
It was so amazing and humbling to see the volunteers who showed up to share this experience, and the volunteers who showed up to serve. The table settings were just beautiful; everything was picture perfect.
I am personally looking forward to their next big event, Chocolate & More, scheduled to take place on March 28th, at the Ashland Middle School, my personal favorite.
Make sure you do not miss the Christmas Fundraising Sale in November. Last year sales of Donated Christmas decor generated $10,200 to aid in providing healthcare for many individuals in our community. It looks like it is going to be another amazing event this year!
Volunteer and Donation Opportunities
Executive Director Cheryl Benway says, there are so many ways to volunteer at the Ashland Christian Health Center.
- Clinical Medical volunteers
- Daytime office help
- Newsletter assistance
- Cleaning the facilities
- Maintenance
- Christmas sale sorting and prep
- Local businesses provide sweet treats for Chocolate & More
- Receptionist at clinic (requires no medical background)
It takes a community to make a clinic like the Ashland Christian Health Center thrive. Cheryl Benway concludes, “We are so thankful for all the people who so generously volunteer their time to the clinic.”
The clinic frequently uses:
- Unopened, non-expired medications
- Christmas Decorations, gently used-greatly treasured
- Small snacks for patients
- $10 gas cards for patients driving to Wooster for testing.
- Adult Diapers/briefs of all sizes
- 8 1/2 x11 copy paper white and colors.
- Forever Postage Stamps
- Thank you notes, blank inside or spiritual.
- White out tape
- $10 Gift cards
- Ink Pens, Sharpie Markers
- Business size envelopes
- Trash bags: 39 Gallon Large, 33 Gallon, and Tall Kitchen
- Liquid hand soap and disinfectant spray
- Kleenex
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Multi-fold paper towels and regular paper towels
- Cold Beverage Cups
- Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Sidewalk Salt
- Coffee, Hot chocolate packets, or k-cups
- Beverage and lunch-size napkins, seasonal dessert plates
The people at Ashland Christian Health Center have hearts of service, compassion, and dedication to their community unmatched anywhere in Ashland County, Ohio. Ashland is blessed to have such an organization thriving in the heart of our city. If you would like to be a part of this community of service, please feel free to contact the Ashland Christian Health Center at 419-903-0475. Every donation or volunteer hour will be appreciated by the patients and volunteers at the Ashland Christian Health Center.
If you need anything: health care, lab work, social services, durable medical equipment, medications, and you are uninsured or underinsured, please do not hesitate to call because Your Health Matters!
