North Star Health hosted community members at Charlestown Health Center to celebrate new accessibility upgrades to the facility. They were joined by supporters of the project New Hampshire Healthy Families, The Dee Foundation, Claremont Savings Bank, and accessibility advocates Dianne and Justin Milliken.
In 2024, Dianne Milliken, mother to Justin Milliken, and a dedicated advocate for accessibility in all places approached North Star Health with a vision. She shared her ideas on how to make Charlestown Health Center, her son’s new medical home after aging out of Pediatrics, a more welcoming and accessible space for patients like Justin to get care.
Fast forward to April 8, 2026: North Star invited the community to see the room that was outfitted with an accessible bed and electric Hoyer lift to make exams more comfortable and functional for wheelchair users and clinical staff. This project was supported by New Hampshire Health Families, The Dee Foundation, and Claremont Savings Bank Foundation.
Before cutting the ribbon on the new set up, Dianne shared what these new features meant, “This isn’t just about a space—it’s about dignity, inclusion, and making sure that Justin and others with unique needs are seen, valued, and able to fully participate in the care they deserve.”
“This isn’t just about a space—it’s about dignity, inclusion, and making sure that Justin and others with unique needs are seen, valued, and able to fully participate in the care they deserve.”
CEO Joshua Dufresne, MBA also shared thanks to Dianne and Justin, the generous supporters of the project, and the community for their support while sharing some context, “Charlestown Health Center is our only facility that was originally designed to be a health center. All others are retrofitted. You’ll notice there are no stairs here, that’s by design. I’m thrilled to be taking that accessibility a step further with the unveiling of this room for patients who need a higher level of accessibility.”
This project is only the start. North Star is committed to making our facilities accessible to all. North Star is creating a “Wish List” of projects. To donate to more projects like this and follow along with this journey, visit www.northstarfqhc.org/accessible
