Category: News
NCHC’s meeting of Schools
Pictured from left to right: Richlyn Burnham (NCHC), Yvette Colon (Right Street School), April Anderson-Brown (Luis Munoz Marin School), Lauren Cooke (Luis Munoz Marin School), Tim McMahon (DEA), Joanna Anderson (DEA), Ashley Shimabukuro (Maria L. Varisco Rogers Charter School), Dr. Pamela Clarke (NCHC), Councilman Anibal Ramos, David DeOliveira (Ridge Street School), Stephanie Forlo (Maria L. Varisco Rogers Charter School), Dr. Chidi Achebe (NCHC), Alexandria Massey (NCHC), Pastor Pablo (DEA), Nicole Johnson (Elliott Street School), Carmen Duran (Elliott Street School), Dr Adrienne Headley (NCHC).
On March 8, 2019 several principals and administrative staff from four North Ward schools along with the Drug Enforcement Administration came to Newark Community Health Centers (NCHC) to discuss how we can better partner together to ensure the health of students in this community. In addition, NCHC discussed its new School-Connect program, whose primary goal is to be an extension of services for public and private schools in the areas where NCHC serves. The program hopes to be a source of support to fill the gaps whenever needed in the health education process. The vision of the program is to improve the health and socioeconomic disparities that affect a students’ ability to learn and assist in the efforts to optimize their education in these prime years of learning. The principals and administrative staff discussed many barriers each school was having to getting their students into care and how NCHC can help minimize these barriers for students and staff alike. The Drug Enforcement Administration discussed their efforts in the community includes the Cares Program, which assists with mitigating the negative affects experienced by a child’s exposure to a traumatic or critical event.3rd Annual Women’s Symposium
From left to right: Ms. Temi Boyo (NCHC Board Member), Dr. Shereef Elnahal (NJ DOH Commissioner), Newark Council President Mildred Crump Dr. Omar Bey (NCHC Board Chair), First Lady Tammy Murphy, Keri Logosso (Greater Newark Health Care Coalition Executive Director), Dr. Pamela Clarke (President and CEO NCHC), Dr. Adrienne Headley (CMO NCHC), Ms. Jillian Hudspeth (NJPCA President), Dr. Tanya Pagan Raggio-Ashley (HRSA), Ms. Shirley Smith (HRSA)
Newark Community Health Centers (NCHC) hosted its 3rd Annual Women’s Health Symposium on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. NCHC serves as a resource for the medically underserved residents of our service area and the community-at-large irrespective of patient legal status and/or ability to pay. In a holistic shift from general healthcare, NCHC places emphasis on health care services delivery which promotes overall wellness. As part of that mission, NCHC remains committed to clinical excellence and education in women’s health. The theme for the Symposium was Empty Arms, Empty Cribs: Challenges in Maternal & Infant Mortality Disparities. Through presentations and panel discussions, the Symposium addressed topics in health disparities and infant and maternal mortality.New Jersey First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy spoke at the NCHC Symposium on May 16th, furthering her commitment to the issue of maternal health. The First Lady noted that, despite New Jersey’s strong and diverse healthcare network, our state ranks 47th in maternal mortality rates. A black infant is nearly three times more likely to die than a white infant, and black mothers are five times more likely to die from maternity-related complications than white mothers. To tackle this racial disparity, we need to address the social determinants of health that have exacerbated this gap—pay equity, access to care, housing, and more—and thankfully, Governor Murphy and his administration have shown dedication to improving all women’s health from the start. From restoring $7.5 million in funding to Family Planning Clinics to removing restrictions on Long-Acting Reversible Contraception after birth, the Governor has made women a priority in New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Health is also rolling out their Healthy Women, Healthy Families initiative which seeks to help community-based programs improve and provide quality access to perinatal care and reduce health disparities, especially black infant mortality. These comprehensive solutions are a start in eliminating the gap, and forums like the Newark Community Health Center’s Women’s Health Symposium are necessary in breaking down the walls that have kept information from the broader community.
NJ Spotlight Article
Positive Patients Reviews
On 5/4/2018, the NCHC Call Center Manager received a call from one of our patients, Mr. S*, to let her know that he received very good customer service from one of NCHC’s call center agents. As per Mr. S*, the agent is “awesome and on point” as he went out of his way to help him today. He would like to thank Newark Community Health Centers for providing great customer service experience to patients.
On 5/4/2018,the NCHC Call Center Manager received a call from one of our patients, Ms. D*, to let her know that she spoke to one of our call center agents and she just wants to let me know how thoughtful she was on the phone and that she provided an outstanding customer service experience. As per Ms. D*, “Being a patient who’s is not feeling well, the call center agent made my day by being a very delightful person assisting for my doctor’s appointment.” She would like to thank Newark Community Health Centers as well for great service!
*names have been abbreviated and changed to protect patient privacy
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Dental Screenings
National Health Center Week 2017
Newark Community Health Centers joined thousands of communities around the nation to recognize and celebrate the innovative work of Community Health Centers during National Health Center Week 2017 from August 14th, 2017 to August 18th, 2017. THe annual event includes music, live entertainment, free blood pressure/glucose checks, screenings and a number of community partners. As we celebrated across all six health centers throughout the week, NCHC Outreach Workers were able to make 100 encounters with new and existing patients. CMTs were able to provide Blood Pressure and Glucose screening to 76 new and existing patients.
Open Enrollment Season from November 2016 to January 2017
National Health Center Week
Newark Community Health Centers, Inc. joined thousands of communities around the nation to recognize and celebrate the innovative work of Community Health Centers during National Health Center Week 2016 from August 7, 2016 to August 13, 2016. As we celebrated across all six health centers throughout the week, NCHC Outreach Workers were able to make over 125 encounters with new and existing patients. CMTs were able to provide Blood Pressure and Glucose screening to over 89 new and existing patients.
NCHC Welcomes Refugees
Since 1986, Newark Community Health centers has committed to provide affordable and quality healthcare to the Newark and its adjoining communities. On 20th June, 2016, NCHC celebrated its first Welcome Refugees event at 101 Ludlow Street. It was the first event in collaboration with the International rescue committee. The resettlement Director, Alison Milan joined forces with NCHC to provide Arabic translator for all Syrian refugees and started a collaboration that will change the curve of future for more events.
NCHC’s hardworking and diligent staff understands the difficulties that new refugees face and this event reflected their willingness to go extra mile- to help Communities bridge in. NCHC is regarded as a pioneer health care center for depicting it’s no discrimination policy towards patients, and has established variety of departments including Internal medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Podiatry, Dental Nutrition and Mental health. This event was held to welcome all refugees into our health center and to inform them of the importance of using preventive measures in health, as well as maintaining one’s wellness.
President and CEO of NCHC, Dr. Pamela Clarke, gave a warm and interactive welcome to all the refugees and explained the role of NCHC’s as a patient centered medical home- that works to make every patient a part of our NCHC family. There was a noticeable enthusiasm in regards to all that NCHC can do to provide high quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare for them and their families. Dr. Clarke also reflected on the role of accountability, quality, service, teamwork, integrity and respect- the very foundation of NCHC.
The audience participated by asking questions regarding cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure and diabetes. Folks from all walks of life attended the event and the active participation made it an astounding success. NCHC has made a promise to provide excellent healthcare services at the door step. Approximately 18.2 million Americans have the disease and almost one third (or approximately 5.2 million) are unaware that they have it. An additional 41 million people have pre-diabetes. NCHC’s staff was able to help refugees understand the physiology of numerous clinical conditions and its treatment.
The acting CMO of NCHC Dr. Chidi Achebe helped the masses understand the concept of BMI and cholesterol. It was a great introspective for folks to understand when is their cholesterol borderline high or they are on risk of have heart disease. Nurses and Staff at NCHC were open to discuss their options to check LDL and HDL levels and determine conditions or risk factors.
NCHC welcomed them with open arms. It provided to be a brilliant chance to collaborate and understand different cultures. Imbued with food, music and a chance to understand American culture, the event came to an end. The end itself promised a new horizon for similar events in future. There was an array of excitement and laughter that filled the room as refugees and NCHC staff began to interact with one another despite the language barriers present. The refugees and their families were seen by our dedicated staff and physician’s so that every single event attendee was registered into our healthcare system. As eager as we were to give them a welcoming hand from all of NCHC, they too embraced us as their healthcare family!