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Sports physical program begins at Detroit's Northwestern High School
The Health Authority will co-sponsor a week-long school physical program at Detroit's Northwestern High School with ThinkDetroit PAL and several area health plans April 13-17, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sports physicals and well-child exams will be provided to young people ages 5 to 21.
"Youth programs, youth activities and youth sports programs are essential for the well being of students. The Health Authority is committed to ensuring that all young people have access to health care services so they can successfully participate in youth sport programs," explained Chris Allen, Health Authority CEO. "Sports and pre-school physicals are part of our overall commitment to helping provide prevention and wellness services in the health care safety net."
Sports activities are important for youth development, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Sports and physical activity programs can introduce youth to skills such as teamwork, self-discipline, sportsmanship, leadership, and socialization.
"The City of Detroit supports ensuring access to health care for all city residents; One method is through our school-based health program," explained Audrey Smith, General Manager, Detroit Department of Health and Wellness. The department is a co-sponsopr fo the physical program. "The teen health center at Northwestern High School is available for young people ages 10 through 19 who need health care services, regarless of their ability to pay. We are happy to team up with Think Detroit PAL, through the facilitation of the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority."
The Northwestern health center offers a variety of services, including primary care, physical exams/sports physicals, immunizations, nutrition programs, asthma control, mental health counseling, EPSDT screening, vision and hearing screening, vision and hearing screening, pregnancy testing, and STD testing.
Sponsors of the physical program include The Detroit Department of Health and Wellness School-Based Health Center at Northwestern High School, and Medicaid health plans: Molina Health Plan, Health Plan of Michigan, ProCare Health Plan, Midwest Health Plan, and Great Lakes Health Plan. The program is open to all students who need physicals. For more information, contact Faith Polk, Medicaid Program Administrator, at 313-871-3751.
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Interfaith prayer breakfast looks at moral, ethical angle of health reform
The Interfaith Health and Hope Coalition will present, "Faithful Reform in Health Care: A Moral and Ethical Imperative," an interfaith prayer breakfast, on Thursday, March 26, 7:30-11 a.m., at Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2080 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit. The prayer breakfast, part of the 2009 Cover the Uninsured Week activities, is free, but registration is required. The Health Authority and Trinity Health are presenting sponsors for the prayer breakfast.
Keynote speakers include Rev. Linda Hanna Walling, founder and executive director of Faithful Reform in Health Care, an interfaith coalition of national, state, and local organizations and individuals that share a commitment to raising a faith inspired vision for health care reform in the United States.
Also speaking will be Jack Glaser, STD, senior vice president for Health Care Reform and founder of the Center for Health Care Reform for the St. Joseph Health System, in Orange, California. He has served as Senior Leader in Theology and Ethics with the health system for over 20 years.
Rev. Patrick Gahagan, Pastor of Genesis Lutheran Church in Detroit, will also lead a discussion on mobilizing parish nurses, health ministers, and others in religious congregations to pursue faithful reform in the Detroit area.
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Health Authority, Michigan Primary Care Association complete study on expansion of FQHCs
A study, undertaken through the Primary Care Network Council by the Michigan Primary Care Association and Health Authority, has identified 12 areas of high need for new or expanded health care services in Detroit . The study recommends six priority areas for considering establishment of new primary care facilities, and it recommends the expansion of existing health care facilities and services in an additional six priority areas. The Council's Safety Net Expansion Committee also identified eight additional areas in the Greater Detroit Wayne County area that it recommended for consideration as possible locations for new health care facilities.
The Council's Safety Net Expansion Work Group, chaired by Wayne Bradley, CEO of Detroit Community Health Connection, established four principles that will guide implementation of the expansion/establishment of facilities:
- Establish the Primary Care Network Council as a forum for encouragement and support of expanded Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHCs) services, specifically encouraging the cooperation of existing FQHCs.
- Identify and prioritize geographic areas on the basis of need for new or expanded health care services.
- Adopt a multi-faceted strategy for primary health care safety net expansion.
- Encourage any organization seeking to expand access to quality health care as long as the propose expansion will not result in a diminution of services to the underserved.
For more information, contact Joslyn Pettway at 313-871-3751 or jpettway@dwcha.org. |
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St. John Health announces plans for 'Healthy Neighbors Detroit'
St. John Health announced the creation of "Healthy Neighborhoods Detroit," a collaborative initiative involving community groups in areas surrounding three former hospital campuses - Conner Creek, Samaritan Center, and Riverview Center. The goal of the initiative is to assemble resources for accessible health services, affordable housing, and education/training to transform the campuses and surrounding neighborhoods. Partners in the initiative include the Detroit community Initiative, which has built senior housing at the Conner Creek, Oakland University and its nursing education programs that use the Riverview and Conner Creek campuses, Holy Cross Children's services, federally qualified health centers serving the three campuses, among others.
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Faith Polk assumes administrative role with Medicaid Outreach
Faith Polk, formerly Director of Medicaid Outreach, has been promoted Medicaid Program Administrator, announce Chris Allen, CEO, Health Authority. "This promotion represents the extraordinary work Faith has done with Medicaid outreach activities over the past year," Allen said. "Given the expanded scope and growing importance of Medicaid reimbursement in our work, we need to have a more focused approach to this work."
Polk's diverse background includes over 12 years of experience with the Michigan Department of Human Services providing direct service and management of Medicaid and other public assistance programs. She has also worked in the non-profit sector in senior management and leadership positions.
As an entrepreneur she has provided training and consulting services to faith and community-based organizations, small businesses and education/ training institutions. Services include small business planning and development, program/ project design, evaluation, and grant writing with success in securing new and renewal grant funding from government, foundation and corporate sources.
Polk earned an undergraduate degree at Wayne State University in political science and completed political science course work in public policy and administration at Purdue University. She is an active volunteer with numerous human service and policy related organizations.
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Save the date...
Health Authority, WSU School of Medicine safety net conference -- May 14-15
Together with the Wayne State University School of Medicine, the Health Authority plans to bring together leaders of health authorities and safety net organizations throughout the country at a conference planned for May 14-15, 2009, called "Weaving a Seamless Fabric of Services for the Uninsured." The conference will include the follow topical areas:
- Application of the medical home concept nationwide
- A perspective on the new president's health policy
- The Michigan and local Detroit-area experience of safety net providers
- Clinical issues in chronic disease management, the role of clinical protocols.
- The use of technological innovation such as electronic medical records, e-prescribing, and telemedicine to enhance the delivery of care.
For more information on this conference, call 871-3751, ext. 110. |
The Detroit Wayne County Health Authority's mission is to coordinate efforts to meet the health needs of the uninsured and underinsured residents in Detroit and Wayne County by assuring access and improving the health status of all people.
"It's about access...for all."
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