NCHC’s first Annual Women’s Symposium was historical for NCHC. This monumental event was one of health literacy, maternal knowledge exchange and health advocacy education. The day was filled with two exciting panel discussions and vendor tabling.

PANEL 1 “Reshaping Lives for Healthy Moms and Babies” Provided a clinical overview of the future of maternal health from the provider and health administration lens. In this session clinician’s shared views about the challenges faced by women and children of Newark and surrounding communities showcasing NCHC’s efforts to lay down a foundation for a healthier future.

PANEL 2 “Transforming Maternal Health in the 21st Century for Essex County” Encompassed a legislative and advocacy perspective focusing on a women’s access to care, securing funds for public health programs, and elimination of maternal health disparities. NCHC core focus is to improve maternal and child health aligning to the messages from these panelist in this session speaking at the state and federal level. Such conversations on initiatives to improve maternal and child health are our passport to transforming healthcare for the community.

All in attendance expressed their engagement, enthusiasm and anticipation to replicate future forums of this kind to include a multi-cultural and multi-linguistic focus throughout the year to help improve maternal family health literacy in Essex County.

For more information Please contact us at 800.994.NCHC (6242) to make an appointment today. Walk-Ins are welcomed!

Today, health organizations and New Jersey’s 10th(NJ-10) congressional district joined forces as they held an event at Newark Community Health Center in effort to save lives from colorectal cancer. NJ-10 and Newark Community Health Center announced their commitment to implement changes within their individual organizations that will increase colorectal cancer screening in New Jersey. Partners in attendance included:

NJ-10’s congressman Donald Payne
Mayor of Irvington, Tony Vauss
Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka
Health directors Dr. Monique Grifflth and Dr. Hanna Hamdi
American Cancer Society and Greater Newark healthcare Coalition

“Colorectal cancer can be prevented or detected early through appropriate screening and tens of thousands of lives can be saved if we increase screening to reach 80% by 2018” says Jim McGoven, Senior Vice President of American Cancer Society’s Eastrern Division.

Congressman Donald M. Payne talked about the seriousness and importance of early detection for the disease as he gave his own personal experience having lost his father to colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the nation’s third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and the second leading cause of cancer death when men and women are combined, yet it is preventable, treatable, and beatable. Through proper colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove hidden growths (called “polyps”) in the colon, before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer altogether.

For more information about colorectal cancer screening, please visit www.cancer.org/colon or contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. For more information about the 80% by 2018 initiative, visit www.nccrt.org

The Newark school district has hired water-testing labs to collect samples of water in all school building. Newark schools showing lead levels above the federal threshold have been ordered to shut off all water fountains and kitchen faucets.

In an effort to assist with the lead screening in Newark schools, we encourage parents to call to make an appointment with NCHC Pediatrics Providers.

There has been a total of 134 lead screenings across all our health centers as of April 28th, 2016. We provide quality care, lab testing, and follow up care.

We at Newark Community Health Centers understand that this is a very trying time for families in our communities. We are extending out services to help guide and navigate our patients every step of the way. Please contact us at 800.994.NCHC (6242) to make an appointment today. Walk-Ins are welcomed!

In August 2015, we cut the ribbon on a newly renovated Newark Community Health Centers’ Headquarters and Medical Complex located at 741 Broadway in the North Ward of Newark. The new state-of-the-art $12 million facility will allow for greater accessibility of healthcare by accommodating more than 65,000 annual visits and will expand on much-needed services such as Obstetrics/Gynecology and Adult and Pediatric Dental care, so that we can more effectively combat persistent issues such as diabetes, asthma, and disproportionately high infant mortality rates in the cities and surrounding areas that we serve.

Click here to read the Star Ledger coverage of our newly renovated state-of-the-art center!

Click here to see the gallery.

A key aspect of the new center expansion is the dynamically enhanced Women’s Health Initiative, which includes the Centering Pregnancy Program. When you join one of our groups, you’ll get prenatal care, you’ll learn how to keep your baby healthy, and you’ll have access to a community of other pregnant women to share your experiences with. Find out more at www.cjfhc.org.

On November 1st open enrollment began for the Affordable Care Act. To learn more about health plan options or for assistance signing up call 1-800-994-6242. You may also make an appointment at any of our centers to receive assistance in identifying and signing up for the coverage that is right for you. In order to enroll, you will need a social security card, driver’s license or green card, proof of address, last 4 pay stubs or latest income tax W2, and your policy numbers if you already have insurance.

Important Deadlines:

• December 15, 2015 – deadline for changing plans
• December 31, 2015 – coverage ends for 2015
• January 1, 2016- coverage for 2016 begins
• January 31, 2016 – last day to enroll in an Affordable Care Act health plan