For more than 60 years, community health centers have provided care with access, equity, and compassion.

With a ribbon cut and loud applause from the crowd, Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) officially celebrated the opening of its newest location, the Key Largo Health Center.

Haga clic en la bandera en parte superior de la página para traducir al español

Pezé sou drapo anwo paj la pou Kreyol

May was Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to take a moment to reflect on how important it is to care for not only our physical health but our mental and emotional well-being, too. Prioritizing your health is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself and for the people you love. At CHI, we continue to stand as advocates for mental health, making sure that support is within reach for anyone who is struggling.

If you’re facing a difficult time, please know that you are not alone. Our Behavioral Health services are here to help, and we remain deeply committed to supporting the mental and emotional wellness of our patients and our broader community.

This year is already shaping up to be an exciting one for CHI. I’m proud to share that our Key Largo Health Center is now open and caring for patients, and we will celebrate with an open house on July 17th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This new, state-of-the-art facility offers services in family medicine and pediatrics. Its modern design and expanded space will allow us to serve even more people across Monroe County, strengthening our presence throughout the lower, middle, and upper Keys.

We’re also preparing for the grand reopening of our Coconut Grove Health Center, and I encourage you to stay tuned. We’ll be sharing the official date very soon.

In April, we celebrated a powerful milestone with the Beam Signing Ceremony for the Children’s Crisis Center. The center will be the first of its kind in southern Miami-Dade County, dedicated to stabilizing and caring for children in the midst of severe mental health crises. Community leaders like Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, staff, community leaders, and generous donors came together to write their messages on the steel structures that will one day support this life-changing facility. It was a moving reminder of the love, hope, and commitment we all share for South Florida’s future.

We also took time in May to celebrate our incredible nurses during Nurses Week, May 6–12. These professionals are the heartbeat of CHI. Their compassion, skill, and daily dedication impact the lives of our patients in meaningful ways. I am truly grateful for each and every one of them.

Looking ahead, it’s important that we not only provide care—but also protect it. Nearly 1,400 health centers like CHI serve more than 30 million people across the United States. These centers are critical lifelines, especially for underserved populations. Right now, that lifeline is at risk. Continued federal funding is essential to keeping our doors open, providing affordable medications, maintaining staff, and ensuring care reaches those who need it most. I urge you to raise your voice, reach out to your federal legislators and advocate for the future of community health.

As summer approaches and we start to think about our vacation plans, I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to check in on your health. Make sure your vaccinations are up to date and don’t delay scheduling your regular appointments. Our team at CHI is here, ready to serve you!

Lastly, as we approach Father’s Day in June, I want to take a moment to honor the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who give so much of themselves to their families and communities. Your strength, care, and commitment inspire us every day. From all of us at CHI, Happy Father’s Day!

Thank you for being a part of the CHI family. Together, we are building a healthier, stronger future, one patient at a time.

 

 

 

Blake Hall

Becoming a mother can be one of life’s happiest moments. It is a time for deep bonding, nurturing, and growth. However, it also comes…