New innovations are blooming at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. CHI. We have implemented EPIC as our new electronic health record and are excited about all thetools that it will provide us to better care for our patients. Initially, as we get accustomed to the new system, there may be some challenges, however, we hope and expect that it will be a major improvement in how we provide care in the long term. Please be patient with us as we get through this learning curve and move on to bigger and better services for you. We will also soon roll out remote patient monitoring to help better care for those who suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Technology will help us assist patients to live healthier, happier lives.

What’s more? I’m proud to tell you that our new Key West Health Center is well embraced by the Florida Keys community. We are so happy to see new patients coming in for primary care, OB/GYN, pediatric and
behavioral health care since its inception late last year. In addition, we are excited about pushing forward with construction and renovation projects, including the expansion at our Coconut Grove Health Center on Grand Avenue, and the construction of the Children’s Crisis Center on the campus of our Doris Ison Health Center.

I hope you will join us on the golf course on May 16 at the Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club for our annual Glen Rice Celebrity Golf Tournament. You can swing with the pros to help us reach the finish line of our capital campaign to fund the Children’s Crisis Center.

Finally, never before has the impact of community health centers been more evident than our response to the pandemic and our dedication to keeping our communities safe and healthy for more than 50 years. CHI leaders have joined other community health centers across the nation to meet with members of Congress. It is important that they are aware of the critical work that we do so that they can help provide more support for community health centers and the patients we serve. We hope you will continue to help us advocate by contacting your member of Congress.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Blake Hall

Black communities in America are 20% more likely than the general population to experience serious mental health challenges, according to Health and Human Services. Yet the American Psychiatric Association says only one in three Black adults will receive the treatment that they need.

The problem is made worse during a time when a global pandemic and social justice movements have significantly impacted Black Americans’ mental health.

That’s why Community Health of South Florida, Inc. is starting the conversation with a special video released in honor of Black History Month. It’s called “Mental Health in the Black Community.” The video can be watched at chisouthfl.org/blackhistory

The video features an interview between Tiffani Helberg, Vice President for Communications, and Jean Pierre, Vice President and Chief Behavioral Health Officer. Pierre examined the factors that led to an uptick in patients at CHI seeking behavioral health services in the past two years, and yet, he points out that there are reasons why not everyone who needs help seeks it.

One of those reasons can be traced to a historical mistrust in the medical community, stemming from a lack of diversity in the medical field.

“At CHI, we’re extremely privileged,” said Pierre, encouraging patients to find a CHI provider with whom they feel comfortable. “We have clinicians from all races, creeds, and ethnic backgrounds.”

Other times, people will seek support from their faith community rather than from a mental health professional—a fact that Jean Pierre said is an opportunity to connect with churches and faith-based organizations.

“The churches in African-American communities play a phenomenal role,” said Pierre. “As a community health center, we have the opportunity to partner with our spiritual leaders and actually participate in the congregations’ activities such as health fairs and other outreach events.”

Nevertheless, CHI has made it easier to seek behavioral health services, he said. “The pandemic has enabled us to expand our telehealth services where patients can actually see a doctor, therapist, or clinician from the comfort of their own home.”

CHI’s telehealth services are an option for both adults and children, as well as in-person services at many of the 12 health centers across Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

As people continue to cope with the ongoing pandemic and other issues, relatives should maintain awareness of their loved ones if they show changes in attitude or daily behaviors, mood swings, appetite loss, decreased interest in personal hygiene and isolation—which could mean that it’s time to seek behavioral health services.

If you or your family are struggling with mental health, you can start a conversation with us at CHI by visiting chisouthfl.org/blackhistory or calling 786-272-2100.

I feel so honored to now serve as your President and CEO. I love this organization as I have been working for Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) for 16 years. Our team has evolved and become stronger and more strategic over the years. Together we will chart new paths for South Florida and work hard to keep everyone healthy. Yet the solid tenants of our motto and mission remain the same. We will always put patient care first.

I have the highest regard for the staff at CHI. They have powered through one of the most difficult times in healthcare. The pandemic has pushed them to the limit. Yet their unwavering devotion to our community and our patients has never been more apparent.

As you might know, this team was the first to offer drive through COVID-19 testing at the onset of the pandemic. Today, we continue to administer both the rapid and PCR tests. We also offer all three vaccines to people ages five and above for free. We continue to offer a robust line of comprehensive services at our 12 health centers. Our services include primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, behavioral health for adults and children, dental, urgent care, vision, pharmacy, radiology and transportation. It is critical that the community has access to high quality healthcare.

But the high quality, compassionate organization of CHI would not be what it is today without the leadership of my mentor, Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. He selflessly spent nearly 40 years pushing his vision to reality. I thank him for his dedication to the organization, to the people of South Florida and for my own growth. As he passes the baton to me, I recognize the enormity of the role that he leaves to me. I will do everything within my power to ensure the continued success of CHI.

We have a lot of exciting things ahead of us. Sites and services will be expanding. But innovation is what helps set us apart over time. We are a service industry and our ability to provide what the community wants and needs, when they want it, and in a way that they expect it is crucial. It will help us continue to be the place that patients choose as their medical home.

Yours Truly,

 

 

 

Blake Hall

 

Dear Friends,

First I want to thank all for your amazing support received last year in celebration of CHI’s 50^th Anniversary. It was a very special milestone and your participation and donations made it another banner year in our fundraising efforts for the Children’s Crisis Center capital campaign.

As we head into the homestretch of our campaign I am proud to let you know that we are only $529,124 away from meeting our $5.5 million goal. This could not have been achieved without you —  our superheroes — and for this reason, and in your honor, we have dubbed  2022 The Year of the CHI Superheroes.

The dictionary says the following about a superhero: “a morally righteous hero in a fictional work who possesses extraordinary abilities or supernatural powers and uses them to fight evil, as in comic books and movies.” Much of the definition is so appropriate as our donors are extraordinary, compassionate, morally righteous people who want to help these kids overcome their mental health issues.

In this e-newsletter, we proudly acknowledge superheroes such as Dr. Ora L. Strickland for her generosity and advocacy of the Children’s Crisis Center. We also highlight the CHI staff for contributing over $64,000 during our 2021 -2022 Employee Giving Campaign of which over $10,000 was provided to help the people of Haiti via the Ayiti Community Trust.

I am so proud of the work we are doing here at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. to provide high-quality comprehensive healthcare for kids and adults. I am excited to share with you our achievements throughout the year and look forward to seeing you soon.

Let’s continue to be SUPERHEROES and help those in need — together we can change the world for the better.

In Sincere Gratitude,

 

 

 

 

Blake Hall

President and CEO

Community Health of South Florida, Inc.

 

This past September 2021, CHI launched its 2nd annual Employee Giving Campaign. This year was special as employees had the opportunity to donate to a wonderful cause outside of CHI and the healthcare arena. To date, a total of $64,000.00 has been raised by the CHI Team of which nearly $11,000 was designated to the CHI for Haiti Fund benefiting the Ayiti Community Trust (ACT).

Dr. Guerda Nicolas, Co-Founder of the ACT visited CHI to thank the employees for their support and share insight on ACT’s projects in Haiti. The Ayiti Community Trust’s mission is to support and sustain development innovation in Ayiti (Haiti) in the areas of civic education, environment, and entrepreneurship. CHI employees presented Dr. Nicolas with a check for $10,854.84 to assist ACT’s Earthquake Relief Fund. This fund is focusing on providing emergency relief, recovery, and reconstruction in Haiti which is still very much needed after last year’s devastating storms. CHI is proud to help the people of Haiti. CHI is proud to give back.