Words and Images by Jenny Lynn Davis
On October 22, Capstone Health celebrated 25 years of growth, service, and commitment to accessible healthcare with an anniversary ceremony at Capstone Summit in Jasper.
The celebration brought together staff, board members, community partners, and supporters to reflect on the organization’s history, recognize those who have contributed to its success, and look toward the future.
“Today is more than celebrating how far we’ve come. It’s about recognizing the people, the partnership, and the purpose that has brought us here today,” said Amber Elswick, Capstone Health’s director of operations. “Since opening our doors in 2001, our mission has remained the same: to make quality healthcare accessible for everyone. Over the years, we’ve grown in many ways, but our heart has never changed.”
Founded in 2001 by Jeri Dunkin through a nursing grant from the University of Alabama, Capstone Health began operating from a modest 1,400-square-foot house in downtown Parrish. Dunkin served as the organization’s CEO until her retirement in 2011.
In 2007, additional funding allowed Capstone to relocate to a larger facility along the highway in Parrish. The organization continued expanding its reach, opening a Jasper clinic known as The Cottage in 2014, followed by a Nauvoo location and its first pharmacy in 2015. Additional growth brought services to Double Springs and established two school-based health centers.
Today, Capstone also operates three pharmacies that have collectively filled more than half a million prescriptions since the pharmacy program began. Its services have also expanded beyond primary healthcare to include pediatrics, early childhood developmental screenings, and autism screenings, with plans to further incorporate behavioral health counseling.
A video presentation during the anniversary ceremony highlighted these milestones and shared personal stories that illustrated the organization’s impact on patients and families.
The presentation emphasized Capstone’s role in addressing challenges, particularly for individuals facing financial hardship, transportation difficulties, language barriers, or a lack of adequate health insurance.
“We made it our mission that none of our patients should ever have to choose between paying their bills, buying groceries, and buying medicine,” one speaker shared in the video. “We wanted to make all of those things possible for them.”
The organization also highlighted its two school-based health centers as an important step in reaching children who might otherwise struggle to access medical care because of transportation or other barriers.
“We believe in meeting people where they are. Recognizing their unique needs, walking alongside them through life’s troubles and times, and making sure they know they are seen, valued, and cared for,” Elswick said.
The anniversary also received recognition from U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts. Will Grice, Aderholt’s district field representative, attended on his behalf and shared a congressional statement commemorating Capstone’s 25 years of service to residents of Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District and surrounding rural communities.
Grice also noted Aderholt’s support for the organization and his work as chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
Capstone Health Executive Director David Jones also addressed attendees, praising the organization’s staff and board members for their dedication and contributions to its success.
After the ceremony, guests toured the Capstone Summit facility and learned more about the services available to patients. WL
