|
|
|
|
|
Community Health Centers coordinate plans for expansion
Following up to a commitment to coordinate efforts to expand the safety net with funds available through health reform legislation, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other community organizations have begun to formulize plans for new health centers and wellness centers, under the coordination of the Health Authority and the FQHC Council. Representatives from the FQHC Council, Michigan Primary Care Association, and Health Authority met with officials in Washington on July 5 in anticipation of grants to be made available for primary care expansion. Training was held at the Health Authority's offices to help FQHCs and other organizations prepare for the grant offering. The Health Authority will be requesting funding support to underwrite the cost of preparing individual health center applications. It's expected that the federal request for proposals will be announced in September. |
National Health Center Week acknowledges importance of community health centers
Community health centers, located in medically underserved areas, continue to provide a vital link in the health care safety net. National Community Health Center Week is Aug. 8-14. To help promote the quality and availability of community health centers, the Health Authority is sponsoring a public service campaign on radio stations serving Detroit and Wayne County and is promoting community health centers in the regional news media.
"The Health Authority looks to the ability of community health centers to be the medical home for people who are uninsured or underinsured," noted Chris Allen, Executive Director and CEO of the Health Authority. "As we anticipate increasing numbers of Medicaid-eligible people, we will need more medical homes for them. The Health Authority, in partnership with members of the Primary Care Network Council, has convened a planning process that will result in several proposals to increase the number and capabilities of health centers in Detroit." |
Let's Move!... Walk for Healthy Communities offers a health festival on Aug. 7
Walk for Healthy Communities (formerly known as Walk for the Uninsured) is a free family event focused on the value of walking and health promotion. In its third year, the Walk will feature host John Mason, of Mason Radio/WGPR, four different aerobic demonstrations - zumba, depkee, boxing, and the hustle - as well as a nutritious food demonstration from Eastern Market. More than 20 health information exhibits, a children's "Iron Man" obstacle course and bouncy, and face painting will also be featured.
The Best of the Safety Net Awards, which acknowledge the contributions of outstanding clinicians, volunteers, business people, and elected officials who provide an extraordinary contribution to the safety net, will be presented.
Sponsors for this year's Walk include Fifth Third Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Henry Ford Health System, Pro Care, Midwest Health Plan, Great Lakes Health Plan, Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Wayne County Medical Society, Oakwood Healthcare, The Wellness Plan, Detroit Community Health Connection, CHASS, Detroit Health Centers, Inc., Western Wayne Family Health Center.
The Walk, which follows a three-mile course around Belle Isle, with a shorter, one-mile course as an alternative, will be lead by the renowned Martin Luther King, Jr., High School Marching Band. The event is free, but proceeds from sponsorship funds and donations will benefit the "Access for all...Health Care Fund." |
Community health fellow begins work at health center
One of the challenges of health reform is not only to expand primary care capacity, but educate and train a new generation of administrators and clinicians to work in them. Srijanani Pillai, the first Richard Bohrer Administrative Fellow, has been assigned to Covenant Community Care in Southwest Detroit.
Ms. Pillai completed an administrative fellowship at St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia and has been administrator of Evergreen Home Care, Jackson, MI, and prescription assistance coordinator with the Joy-Southfield Health and Education Center, Detroit. She received a master's degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy. |
Backgrounders
Governor to sign 'Complete Streets' legislation
Gov. Granholm is expected to sign the Complete Streets legislation, which has been approved by the state House and Senate. The Complete Streets policy initiative has been lead by the community Policy Action Team. The Health Authority has supported the legislation.
Complete Streets policy creates more walkable and bikeable communities, encouraging residents to lead active, healthy lifestyles and helps fight the obesity epidemic in Michigan. These bills have been a 2010 policy goal for Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan, of which the Health Authority has been a member. |
MSU study: School-based health centers prompt students to eat better, exercise
Students with access to school-based health centers experienced greater satisfaction with their health, more physical activity and greater consumption of healthy food than students who did not use such centers, according to a Michigan State University study, published July 26. Miles McNall of MSU's Department of Outreach and Engagement led a team of researchers examining the effects of school-based health centers - clinical health centers providing on-site primary health care - on the health and behaviors of middle and high school students in Michigan. The results appear in the September 2010 issue of the American Journal of Public Health and are available online at www.ajph.org. For the MSU summary go to http:/news.msu.edu/story/8112. |
Primary Care director counsels grads to take on challenges
Joslyn Pettway was a guest speaker at the Flint Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church commencement program for high school and and college grads in June. Pettway, a longtime member of the church who has undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, urged the students to move on in life and take on challenges. Pettway completed a fellowship at the Health Authority and became director of Primary Care Initiatives in 2008. She supervises the Richard Bohrer Administrative Fellowship (see article above). |
|
|
|
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." |
|
|
