On October 27 2011, the American Psychiatric Association presented their Gold, Silver, and Bronze Achievement Awards to four outstanding mental health programs at the APA Institute on Psychiatric Services meeting in San Francisco, CA.  South Cove's behavioral health department received the APA Gold Achievement Award in the academically/institutionally sponsored program category.  The award winning program was the Culturally Sensitive Collaborative Treatment (CSCT) program, developed to provide treatment of depression in a largely Asian population. 

In presenting his treatment program to his peers and fellow APA professionals, Dr. Yeung explained why culture was a crucial component.  Many studies show that Asian Americans underuse mental health services, even though the same studies have also shown that major depressive disorder (MDD) is common among this group, with a prevalence comparable to that among the US mainstream population. Most Asian Americans with MDD seek help at primary care settings, but in the majority of cases their depression remains unrecognized by care providers.

Dr. Gallucci presented Dr. Yeung with the APA Award

To overcome such barriers, Dr. Yeung and his group designed a model where culturally sensitive components were added to the collaborative management model, targeting Asians who have traditional beliefs regarding mental illnesses. CSCT contains four components: 1) systematic depression screening, 2) contacting those who screen positive for MDD to recommend an assessment, 3) culturally sensitive psychiatric assessment via the Engagement Interview Protocol (EIP), and 4) care management. 

The CSCT resulted in a nearly 7-fold increase in treatment rate among depressed patients in primary care; of those with positive depression screens, 43 percent entered treatment, a significant increase over the 6.5 percent before the program.  CSCT yielded extraordinary results because of the trained staff executing the program.  It is a seamless collaboration between the medical departments that do the initial screening and the Behavioral Health department that carries out the follow-up communication.  All patients are screened for depression using a bilingual screening tool.  Proactively and actively contacting patients is a key component of the program.  In addition to being a promising way of recognizing and treating major depression in ethnic minority populations, the program has also served as a way of educating the Chinese community about depression and correcting any misguided views they may have about the illness.

This is a program spanning over 10 years during which 26,000 patients have been systematically screened.  It is a tremendous undertaking that would not have been possible without the support of both the management and staff.  In accepting this award, Dr. Yeung echoed Eugene's remarks that this is a prestigious award and that to have come out atop among many excellent programs nationally is an incredible honor and a testament to the staff of South Cove, not just those of the Behavioral Health department.  He congratulated all South Cove staff for such an accomplishment, for it required involvement across all levels to make the program successful. 

Eugene and Albert pose with the award

About the APA Award (from the APA website)

The winning programs were selected from among 28 applications reviewed by the 2011 Achievement Awards Committee, chaired by Gerard Gallucci, M.D., M.H.S.

The goal of the Psychiatric Services Achievement Awards is to recognize and publicize national models of creative service delivery.  The awards have been presented since 1949 to innovative programs that deliver services to the mentally ill or disabled, have overcome obstacles, and can serve as models for other programs.  Programs can be based in a school, a clinic, a hospital, or the community itself, and can provide unique human resource development, prevention, or administrative models that improve clinical care.

Close to 400 people attended the annual fundraiser themed "A Bridge to China and the World." Mayor Thomas Menino was among the distinguished guests of the evening that also included prominent community leaders, government officials and of course, the many friends and steadfast supporters of the school.

Theresa Tsoi, Chair of the Board of Directors, thanked and welcomed everyone.  She pointed out that Kwong Kow has been doing great work since its founding and has achieved remarkable results.     

In his remarks, Mayor Menino praised Kwong Kow for being one of the Boston's premier educational agencies, and for encouraging students to learn about their mother culture and roots. 

Interim Principle Liu Xiaonan used the dinner theme "A bridge to China and the World" as starting point and spoke about Kwong Kow's educational philosophy. She said that Chinese culture's value lies in its long and rich history.  Using cultural education as foundation, Kwong Kow helps students develop a global view and promotes the integration of Chinese and Western cultures.  
 

Theresa Tsoi, Mayor Menino, Eugene Welch and Frank Chin

The presentation of awards to the two honorees of this year's gala followed: Eugene Welch and Zhentian Zhang.  Eugene was recognized for his long time contributions to the community as the Executive Director of South Cove Community Health Center.  In accepting his award from Mayor Menino, Theresa Tsoi and Frank Chin, Eugene thanked the School for this great honor.  He also stated that all he has accomplished, he did with a team of dedicated and committed staff; he expressed his sincere appreciation for the support of the staff and the South Cove Board of Directors.  

"[I want to] express my sincere thanks and gratitude for the honor bestowed on me from the Kwong Kow Chinese School.  I humbly accept this from all the staff of South Cove Community Health Center and pledge our devotion to serve the underserved in the Asian community." - Eugene Welch

Eugene with the award and South Cove staff

Mr. Zhang is an accomplished musician who has taught at the Kwong Kow School for 22 years.  He is the man behind the school's dulcimer ensemble.  He was honored for his life-long contributions to the school, and the community for promoting Chinese culture and music.

The gala featured continuous performances by the Kwong Kow students and teachers.   It was an amazing showcase of talents that included dulcimer, kung fu, violin, and singing and dancing.  The evening concluded on a fun and festive note with an ensemble song by the Kwong Kow teachers and a world fashion show by the students. All guests left satisfied for they were treated to a feast of great arts and music.    

More than 30 years ago, Marty came to South Cove with the simple goal of helping women and those underserved in Boston's Asian immigrant community.  Today, countless women have been served and babies delivered, much has changed, but not Marty's commitment to this mission.  However, time has come for her to focus on other priorities and take on different challenges.  As she closes one chapter and opens another, we wish her nothing but the best. 

Nearly a hundred people attended the ceremonious event.  It was almost like a little South Cove old timers' reunion, and a who's who of the Ob/Gyn department from three decades ago to present. Many of Marty's colleagues and friends were also among those invited.  

Dr. Lucy Chie, South Cove's Ob/Gyn physician-in-chief, who has worked alongside Marty since 2004 spoke first on behalf of the entire department.  Dr. Chie expressed eternal gratitude for Marty's contributions: for starting and building the women's health department at South Cove, for taking care of patients with compassion and commitment and for mentoring so many.  Those that have worked with her all learned from her in one way or another, whether it be performing a clinical procedure or better understanding the needs of our patients or advocating on patients' behalf or for their rights.  South Cove's ob/gyn and the community are forever indebted to her for all she has done and continues to do. 

Marty receives a standing ovation as she takes the podium

Marty spoke next.  She thanked all for coming, and remarked that it was wonderful seeing people whom she worked with throughout the years.  Then it was a ride down memory lane as Marty recalled the early times when the department was first built, with two physicians doing one session a week each.  The program grew as the department was able to secure funding from ABCD and Boston Family Planning, which enabled the department to provide patients, most of whom were uninsured, the access to contraception and health education.  Marty acknowledged those that were with her at that time: Dr. Lee, Dr. Hogan, Yoong Schleif and Christine Wong.  She went on to express how privileged she felt to work with staff and doctors who dedicated their skills to patients to give the best possible care.  

Lastly, she said that "none of us can do this alone" and that it was the collaboration and cooperation between people that made her work possible and enjoyable.  She cited the example of the cultural awareness classes that she was credited for starting at BIDMC, nurses that came to classes also deserved to be made mention for their willingness to learn and become culturally competent to the Asian patients.  

This is the Marty we know, always humble and modest, when the spotlight is on her, she redirects it. 

Many spoke on Marty's behalf: her fellow nurse midwife, Susanna Leung, Dr. Perlmutter, Dr. Shiao-yu Lee, Dr. Yvonne Gomez-Carrion, Nurse Suzy Leibert, South Cove Board member April Tang and a long-time friend of Marty's, Carol Rinehart.    

Looking back on her fruitful career, Marty had this to say "I am incredibly grateful to find a profession that I was able to love; working with mothers and families.  [I am equally grateful] that I found a place, a unique Asian community health center, where what I love to do is needed.  I am just very, very grateful." 

Perhaps Dr. Chie summed it up best, hailing Marty as "a road warrior, an outstanding certified nurse midwife, and an extraordinary person."

"Anybody who has worked with you knows you can be tough as nails.  I learned early on that this was only because you demanded the best for our patients, and you were not going to be happy settling for less," remarked Dr. Chie. 

With her relentlessness and persistence; Marty was able to accomplish so much for patients, the community and South Cove.  From the humble beginning with the tireless work of a few, the ob/gyn department took off to become what it is today: one that boasts quality programs and depth in staffing.  

Marty and Co.

In her long career, Marty's work has been recognized numerous times, but if you'd ask her, she would say that working alongside a group of dedicated people and caring for women to make a difference in their lives and families would be her greatest honor and reward in life.

Marty may have taken a back seat to the day-to-day clinical work but she continues to inspire those around her.  Even after retiring, we know Marty's dedication will remain and be carried on by those whom she mentored. 

Though this was a retirement party, it was not about sad good-byes; rather, it was about celebrating Marty's life-long work and achievement.  And to that we say: "Marty, South Cove salutes you!" 

BASE New Home

After many years of running the BASE program out of a small basement space of a church, it is finally time to relocate. 

For those not very familiar with South Cove's operations, besides 3 clinics, two in Boston and one in Quincy, the health center also runs an after-school program called BASE (Brighton/Allston After School Enrichment) for almost three decades now.  Its mission is to provide quality bilingual, multicultural services to school-aged children.  It is a small program that makes a big difference in the lives of the students it serves.  Most students are from immigrant families whose parents have limited English skills, making their transition to the American life harder.  This is where BASE comes in, to provide not only help with school work but also foster a home-like environment where these students feel comfortable to seek help and advice.

The church, where BASE is currently, has other plans for the space and therefore, notified us with their request to terminate the lease, which runs through February 2012.  That sent Eugene, and Madeline, the supervisor of the program, on an intensive rental space hunt.  The effort finally yielded promising result as they came across a building recently purchased and renovated by a non-profit.  After several meetings, we are glad to announce that we are just steps away from signing a lease to bring our BASE program into a brand new facility. 

Corridor of the new facility

There are still detailed that need to be fine-tuned but hopefully come February 2012, the staff and students of BASE will have a new and more spacious facility where they can call home for many years to come.

Update from Eugene Welch regarding the relocation of the program:

After almost 30 years of South Cove operating an afterschool and summer program in Allston/Brighton that we refer to as BASE, in February of 2012, we are about to move the program to a newly remodeled facility at the Presentation School Foundation, Inc. on Washington Street in Brighton/Allston.  The new facility will be handicapped-accessible, and even air-conditioned during the summer.  It will also have room for additional students.  The BASE staff and supervisor, Madeline Wan, are extremely excited with the new facilities and the new location.  I can only thank Madeline and her staff for all the time and effort they have put into this program.  This should be a very lucky sign because we are moving in the year of the Dragon.

Introducing new providers: Jun Zhang and Amy Li

Jun Zhang is an experienced healthcare professional who recently received her NP license.  Prior to that, she worked as a registered nurse at South Cove Manor Nursing Home since 2006.  Originally from Anhui, China, Jun went to school there and worked in a medical clinical laboratory for several years before moving to the US.  She became a registered nurse after graduating from the Bunker Hill Community College nursing program.  With a passion in nursing, she went on to receive her bachelor of nursing from Regis College and later a master degree.  Jun is fluent in Chinese Mandarin, Cantonese and English.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading and cooking.

Amy Li is the newest staff dentist in the growing dental department.  Dr. Li graduated from Boston University in 2010 and completed her residency at UMASS. Originally from NYC, Amy speaks English and Cantonese.  She is happy to join South Cove and that her first impression of the health center is that it is a nice, big family.  She hopes that she will be able to give back to the community and educate patients on preventative care, which is key to keeping good oral hygiene.   In her spare time, Amy likes to travel, explore different cuisines; two of her newest hobbies are bowling and baking.

Available now: Follow the construction in real time!!

The construction of a brand new building across from the current clinic formally started following the ground breaking ceremony on Thursday, June 30, 2011.  It has been going relatively smoothly and on schedule.  We are looking at the end of the year to have it fully enclosed and completed by September 2012.  Just recently, a video camera was mounted from the parking lot across pointing to the construction site.  Those interested in following the progress in real time are more than welcome to visit our website and click on the link, or, simply click on the image below to see live view!   

Snap shot of the construction site, click to see live view

South Cove Celebrates Christmas with staff & families

On Friday December 16, 2011, South Cove hosted its annual staff Christmas party. Over 400 staff members and their families turned up for the grand festivity.  The South Cove tradition is that Christmas is about families and children, this year was no different.  The highlight of the party was, of course, Santa Claus, who came prepared and made over 100 children very happy!  There was also an abundance of food that most took a doggie bag with them. All in all, it was a very jolly occasion if not a bit chaotic at times (expected with 100+ kids under one roof)! 

Children singing Christmas carol

Santa and South Cove Board Members