Catholic Extension and donations help fund expansion of Holy Family Healthcare

Just eight years ago, Deacon Don Bouchard, D.O., and his late wife, Theresa, created Holy Family Healthcare as a mobile unit. Their mission was to serve the migrant and local communities with Catholic-based family healthcare, treating the whole person. 

Now, thanks to the generosity of donors and a matching grant from Catholic Extension, the organization is operating from its new 4,000-square-foot offices in downtown Hartford, increasing its capacity to serve surrounding communities.

“This expansion is truly a sign of Christ’s blessing of our humble ministry,” notes Deacon Bouchard. “As part of the expansion, we have added women and girls health, family practice, and pediatric dental services.”

In October, Bishop Paul J. Bradley blessed the new facility, where patient rooms are all adorned with the names of saints (and saints in waiting), including Blessed Carlos Acutis and St. Mother Theresa. Upon entering the building, visitors are greeted by a beautiful memorial to Deacon Bouchard’s wife, Theresa, who died in October 2021.

Last month Deacon Bouchard, along with Holy Family Healthcare staff, hosted a grand opening celebration for the community to showcase its new facility. On hand were members of the clergy, civic leaders, valued volunteers, patient families as well as representatives from Catholic Extension. The multicultural, intergenerational cross section of the community in attendance speaks to the outreach and impact the practice is committed to continuing.

In keeping with its founding principles of serving the community via the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, Holy Family Healthcare’s mission states it will never turn anyone in need away, will verify (and provide, when needed) that that person or family has safe housing, enough to eat, adequate clothing, support for mental health needs, etc. It does so via its extensive food pantry at its former clinic location, as well as by offering gently used clothing out of its Beatitude’s or “Bea’s” Closet. It also supports the education of over a dozen students via its St. Benedict Program, which pays for the Catholic education of children who are at risk of receiving no or inadequate schooling. The Holy Family Healthcare mobile unit is still in operation and brings medical attention to populations with unreliable healthcare access.