Top South Florida Fundraiser Victoria Castro Joins CHI As New Director Of Development

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[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21123″ img_size=”600×800″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”15px” down=”15px”][vc_column_text]CHI has hired proven South Florida fundraiser Victoria Castro. Castro draws from more than 25 years of successful fundraising and development expertise to help raise funds for the children’s crisis center and other critical projects.

“I am honored to be a part of this storied institution and look forward to the tireless work ahead to get the needed funds to complete this worthwhile project,” said Castro.

Castro previously worked for University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, where the majority of her tenure focused on supporting the Department of Pediatrics, Miami Transplant Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She was subsequently tapped as Senior Director of Development for UM’s School of Business Administration, for the school’s department of health sector management and policy.

Before joining CHI, she served for two years as Senior Vice President of Development at Jackson Health Foundation, which only confirmed her love of fundraising for projects that have an immediate impact on the communities she serves.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

CHI Ground Breaking

Virtual Ground-Breaking For Children’s Crisis Center

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[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21121″ img_size=”800×600″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”15px” down=”15px”][vc_column_text]With children’s suicide rates up and related mental health issues on the rise, Community Health of South Florida (CHI) moved forward with a virtual groundbreaking for its Children’s Crisis Center, the first of its kind to serve children in crisis in southern Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.

On hand for the virtual ceremony was Brodes H. Hartley, Jr., president and CEO of CHI, who was joined by Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Child Advocate David Lawrence, and foster mom, Miss Alina.

“The need for a children’s crisis center is more important than ever,” said Hartley, Jr. “We continue to see children suffering from behavioral health issues, with the global pandemic making them even more susceptible to mental crisis and making us all the more committed to seeing this center built.”

When fully built, the structure will have 20 sleeping rooms, plus play rooms, therapy rooms and much more designed to care for kids suffering from severe mental illness. Located adjacent to CHI’s Doris Ison Health Center at 10300 SW 216 St., it will treat about 1000 children annually.

More than 80 children per month are brought to CHI’s adult crisis center, which is not fully equipped to address the youth’s needs. The onset of the pandemic has only highlighted the urgency where the number of visitations never dropped

The 11,400 square foot building will provide 24-hour, comprehensive mental health care for children up to 17 years of age, regardless of their ability to pay. The construction of the building is projected to take about 18 months with $3.3 million left to raise to be on track to open.

WATCH THE VIDEO AND DONATE AT:

chisouthfl.org/groundbreaking[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

CHI’s Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. Teaching Health Center Celebrates 2020 Class With Virtual Graduation, White Coat Ceremonies

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[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”21119″ img_size=”800×600″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”21118″ img_size=”800×600″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”30px” down=”30px”][vc_column_text]June marked a special occasion for Community Health of South Florida, Inc., (CHI) and the Brodes H. Hartley Jr. Teaching Health Center’s class of 2020. After months of hard work coupled with the challenges of fighting a global pandemic, four family medicine residents, one OB/GYN, and three psychiatry residents were honored on Saturday, June 20, at the teaching health center’s first-ever virtual graduation.

In compliance with CDC guidelines and social distancing, the graduation ceremony was live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, while a small group gathered at CHI’s main campus to award the residents their certificates.

“This year, we achieved significant milestones together,” said Dr. Elizabeth Philippe, Chief of Family Medicine, Associate Director of Medical Education, and Program Director for family medicine. “Our residents presented themselves as leaders for social justice and the underserved community. We became fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and overcame unprecedented obstacles, from COVID-19 to telemedicine to the ever-changing healthcare system.”

This year’s graduation was very different from past commemorations, which hosted a trove of families, friends, faculty, and former residents at CHI facilities but there was no shortage of joy and pride among those attending the virtual event. Dr. Ajoy Kumar, former president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians and a passionate advocate for the teaching health center, delivered the keynote address.

On Wednesday, June 24, CHI also held a virtual White Coat Ceremony to welcome in a new class of residents. The donning of the white coat is a symbol of passage for incoming residents. Each individual must take on the responsibility of becoming a physician for the community. This role is no easy feat and one that requires compassion, engagement, and a lifelong dedication to CHI’s slogan, “Patient Care Comes First.”

“I am very proud of our graduating class and thrilled to welcome our incoming residents,” said Dr. Saint Anthony Amofah, Senior Vice President, Chief Medical and Academic Officer. “Now more than ever, training the next generation of healthcare professionals is extremely important, and our teaching health center is keeping us well-positioned to deliver comprehensive quality care for everyone.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

A Message from the President

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[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21116″ img_size=”250×300″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]I hope this message finds you safe and in good health. We are living through tough times. COVID-19 is spreading through South Florida and on top of that, we have civil unrest linked to the ongoing battle for equality. Our founder, Doris Ison, was a change agent and a visionary. She wanted to be sure that everyone, regardless of economic background or race, had access to high-quality healthcare. Today we continue to fulfill her vision.

I want to commend our team, the heroes on the front lines, who come to work every day despite the circumstances, to care for our patients. We set the tone in South Florida by being the first to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing in Miami-Dade and Monroe County. It’s a service that we continue to do for free to you. Our teams are also working around the clock to clean and disinfect to ensure our health centers are clean and safe for you. We are pleased to see that many of you are returning to the health centers for care. Some who wish to see the doctor from home have been taking advantage of our telehealth services. It’s easy and convenient, and helps you maintain your health throughout this pandemic. I am so proud to have held our virtual groundbreaking for our children’s crisis center as well as virtual graduation and white coat ceremonies for our graduating residents and incoming class of residents. In August, we will celebrate National Health Center Week. During that time, we highlight the valuable work that community health centers like Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) do for some of the most vulnerable populations. It’s a time when we will visit the homeless, those living in public housing, and our migrant community, and give them special care packs. We also have contests and educational resources for children. You can read all about our National Health Center week plans at chisouthfl.org/Nationalhealthcenterweek.

I am also excited to tell you about our new mobile medical van. We just purchased it thanks to support from Direct Relief and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The van is state of the art and will help us provide greater access on wheels with primary care, pediatrics, and behavioral health services. The mobile van will go to four of our nearby public housing centers and also local homeless camps. We have always gone above and beyond to reach everyone and fulfill the great Doris Ison’s vision for equality in care.

Yours truly,

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Brodes H. Hartley, Jr.

President/CEO[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

COVID-19 Testing in Homestead

CHI First South Florida Facility to Provide Covid-19 Drive-Through Testing

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[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21113″ img_size=”600×800″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]With South Florida facing a health crisis, Community Health of South Florida, Inc. became the first facility to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing in Miami-Dade and Monroe County. The non-profit organization sprung into action, mobilizing its team and providing many communities invaluable health resources when they were most needed.

Those efforts began on a blustery mid-March day outside CHI headquarters on SW 216th Street in Miami, with patients’ cars lining up as far back as three-and-a-half blocks as occupants sought testing.

“We were just beginning to learn about COVID-19 and how to stop it,” said Monica Mizell, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at CHI. “We were testing for, and handling a live virus, and we knew the seriousness of this situation, but we were ready to respond.”

Miami police were also on hand doing crowd control as news helicopters hovered overhead assessing the scene.

CHI went on to expand COVID-19 testing operations in more South Florida locations. With these services successfully in place in Coconut Grove, Florida City, Marathon, Homestead, and Key West, CHI then extended its commitment to the community by venturing into homeless communities and partnering with the Homeless Trust to provide critical COVID-19 testing services to this vulnerable group.

“Our medical team was passionately involved in this effort,” said Mizell. “We were able to provide testing for this at-risk community, giving them masks and educating them on the dangers of the virus, knowing we were reaching people who might otherwise not have those needs met.”

Even as these timely emergency response services were deployed, CHI’s 10 South Florida health centers remained open, active, and fully operational.

To address the needs of patients fearful of venturing out, CHI kicked its telehealth services into full gear, providing a wide range of virtually accommodated services including primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental, OB/GYN, and urgent care.

Meanwhile, community partners such as TD Bank Charitable Foundation rose to the occasion providing critical funding support for those telehealth services.

“We know that over 80% of CHI’s patients identify as Black or Hispanic/Latino, a population traditionally facing barriers to healthcare which the COVID-19 pandemic has further perpetuated,” said Akash Mahajan, Manager Citizenship Partnerships, TD Bank. “TD is honored to support CHI’s tele-health platform, expanding access to care for the community’s most vulnerable and ensuring equitable health outcomes for all, in alignment with the bank’s TD Ready Commitment.”

CHI wants its patients to know it is safe to return to the health center for care. CHI has put in place social distancing and access control protocols while increasing hygienic procedures to ensure its patients are safe, comfortable, and welcomed back.

“We temperature test all employees before entering our facilities, all of whom must wear masks, and abide by CDC protocols. It’s simply the new normal now,” said Mizell.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]