Rideau Community Health Services (RCHS) is a non-profit, community-governed health and social service agency. The organization has grown steadily with substantial changes in the past ten years.  Incorporated in 1974, the Merrickville Medical Centre became Merrickville District Community Health and Services Centre (MDCHSC) in 1984. At this time the organization officially became a Community Health Centre. MDCHSC expanded to include Rideau Valley Diabetes Services (RVDS) in 2003, Smiths Falls Community Health Centre (SFCHC) in 2006, and the South East Diabetes Regional Coordination Centre (SEDRCC) in 2010. A 12-member Board of Directors, elected from the membership of the corporation, governs the agency. At its June 2011 Annual General Meeting the membership chose to change the name of the corporation from Merrickville District Community Health and Services Centre to Rideau Community Health Services (RCHS), a name which better represents the diverse range of programs and services offered, as well as the vast area of service encompassed by the organization.