Press Releases

Today, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, announced that his guest to Tuesday’s Presidential State of the Union address will be Marcus Stone. As a leading advocate for community health centers (CHCs), Mr. Stone is the CEO of Connect Health + Wellness, which serves Virginia communities in Henry and Patrick Counties as well as Martinsville City.

“It is my great pleasure to have Marcus Stone as my guest for this year’s State of the Union address,” said Griffith. “Mr. Stone is a steadfast believer in improving rural patient access to health care. As the representative of a Congressional district with 61 CHCs, I hope to highlight the importance of CHCs and our work together to strengthen rural health care.”

“It is an honor to represent Connect Health + Wellness and the patients we serve in rural Virginia at this year’s State of the Union,” said Stone. “As one of Virginia’s Community Health Centers, we are proud to be part of a statewide network committed to ensuring every family—regardless of income, background, or geography—has access to high‑quality, affordable primary care. Connect Health + Wellness is on the front lines of rural healthcare, serving as a lifeline for families across Henry County, Patrick County, and the City of Martinsville. As the CEO of Connect Health + Wellness, I am grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside Congressman Griffith to underscore how critical sustained federal support for Community Health Centers is to ensuring families can continue receiving comprehensive, affordable primary and dental care close to home.” 

BACKGROUND

Connect Health + Wellness operates multiple CHCs to serve rural patients. They have locations in Bassett, Virginia, and Ridgeway, Virginia, in Henry County, as well as in Patrick Springs, Virginia, in Patrick County.

Further, Connect Health + Wellness runs a separate dental clinic in Martinsville, Virginia.

In the summer of 2025, Congressman Griffith toured the Martinsville, Virginia, dental facility.

In a recent e-newsletter, Congressman Griffith detailed health extenders passed by Congress that include funding for CHCs.

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