Message From CEO

Hope has arrived, and we are finally headed in the right direction. As we are able to vaccinate more and more people, I truly believe that we will get through this difficult time in the near future.

The pandemic has pushed our team at CHI to reexamine our services and healthcare delivery on a daily basis. I continue to be amazed and so proud of the work that Community Health of South Florida, Inc. is doing. I also continue to hear wonderful compliments from community leaders and patients who have been the recipient of our COVID-19 vaccination and testing efforts. 

I am encouraged by the community support for our programs and services.

Many have purchased bricks to line the entryway of the new Children’s Crisis Center. Our staff has also raised more than $62,000 in donations, a testament to their own commitment to the cause!

Meanwhile, our construction on the new Key West Health Center is going smoothly. We expect to open our doors at CHI’s southernmost health center by this summer. In addition, we continue to make progress on the construction of the new Key Largo Health Center and newly renovated Coconut Grove Health Center. This is all part of our goal to make health care more accessible to everyone in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. 

This May, we also have several important dates to celebrate, such as National Nurses Week. Never before has their contribution been so critical!

Please take the time to thank our nurses for their hard work, love, and devotion to our patients. It’s also Mother’s Day and Women’s Health Month. We will be hosting a special webinar focused on women’s body image, nutrition, and more. Follow us on our social media accounts for more information.

 

Regards,

Brodes H. Hartley, Jr.

CHI Vaccinates Underserved and Hard-to-Reach Populations Through Strategic Outreach

Tasha Robinson receives the COVID-19 vaccination at a CHI outreach event in Naranja.

Tasha Robinson sat in the observation area of the COVID-19 vaccination site, set up by Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) at Naranja Park. Although her mouth was covered by her mask, she smiled excitedly with her eyes. Just minutes prior, Tasha had received the shot outside the CHI’s mobile medical van.

“I feel so much better. I feel safe and relieved,” said Robinson. 

Two years ago, she had a stroke and is still recovering from the effects. As she sat in her wheelchair, she shared her renewed outlook of hope and optimism, thanks to the COVID-19 vaccination.

“I don’t want to get sick anymore,” she said. “I just want to do my best to stay healthy.”

CHI has administered the free vaccine to more than 4,700 people in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. What makes the non-profit healthcare company’s approach unique is twofold. First, CHI has been reaching out to underserved patients and community members without health insurance and few resources. Second, the federally qualified health center has utilized its outreach team and mobile medical van to go into public housing complexes, community parks, and even homeless encampments to vaccinate. 

“We have always believed that health care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income, race or class,” said Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. CEO of CHI. “Our vaccination efforts have worked to ensure the most vulnerable populations are reached along with everyone else. It’s what we do. We have been putting patient care first for 50 years.”

Among those vaccinated by CHI, 46 percent were Hispanic and 25 percent were Black. Minorities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and CHI has pushed to ensure those populations do not get left behind. 

Beverly Drinkwater also received her vaccination at the same event as Robinson. 

“It means giving me, hopefully, peace of mind,” said Drinkwater.  “Until we all get vaccinated this is not going to go away. I really don’t want my grandchildren for the rest of their lives growing up with this over their heads and having to wear masks.”

CHI has been at the forefront of the pandemic response. It was the first to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, and it continues to lead the way with its vaccination efforts.

Those looking to get vaccinated can request to be put on the list by visiting the CHI website, chisouthfl.org or calling (305) 252-4820.

CHI Celebrates Women Who Inspire During Women’s History Month

CHI’s founder, Doris Ison, continues to be an inspiration. She was a visionary dedicated to improving healthcare in South Florida.

March is Women’s History Month, dedicated to celebrating women’s important contributions in history.   At Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI), women are recognized every day, as CHI would not exist without the sheer will and passion of one very special woman, Doris Ison.  

Ison’s fearless attitude, advocacy and dedication to bring health care to African-Americans in South Florida was the catalyst that mobilized local and state leaders in the 1960’s to expand healthcare access. Her efforts were part of the monumental movement for the rights of poor and disenfranchised people across South Florida and led to the creation of CHI. 

Ison was an activist blessed with strength, determination, and intelligence.  She knew that situations could always change for the better if we unite and do what is right. Today, she would likely be extremely proud to see how her seeds of hope have grown to care for tens of thousands of patients each year. In 2020 alone, CHI served nearly 80,000 patients throughout its 11 health centers, mobile medical and dental units, and school-based programs. 

In honor of Doris Ison and all the women who have made selfless contributions to help others, CHI will roll out a special Women’s History Month fundraising campaign. The funds will help build the first comprehensive Children’s Crisis Center in southern Miami-Dade County.

“This is a meaningful way to show appreciation to the women we have always looked up to,” said Victoria Castro, Director of Development at CHI.

“Many of us have had the privilege of having women in our lives, like Doris Ison. These women have provided time, dedication and support and changed our lives for the better. 

These special women never ask for acknowledgment, but I think it is time we show them how much we admire them.”

The campaign provides an opportunity for people to donate in honor of the special women in their lives.  This could be your mother, your friend or even someone you never knew personally but whose life story gave you the confidence to be the real you.  

“I have had amazing women in my life.  However, I immediately think to honor my professional mentor and friend, Marsha P. Kegley,”said Castro. “She made a huge difference in my career path. She encouraged me and saw my talent even before I could. She continues to inspire me today.”

We encourage everyone to donate to the Children’s Crisis Center and honor that special someone.  These donations symbolize the support and encouragement you received and will now be passed on to thousands of children in need. 

 

To donate please visit:

www.chisouthfl.org/give

CHI Provides Its First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines to Its Frontline Workers & Elderly.

(L) Maria Caba, patient care technician at CHI, receives the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Doris Ison Health Center. (R) Sharon Green, nurse, prepares to administer the vaccine.

Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) began administering the first COVID-19 vaccine for its frontline healthcare workers on January 5, 2021. The Moderna vaccines arrived at Doris Ison Health Center.

Maria Caba, a patient care technician at Doris Ison, was the first to receive the vaccine. This marked a milestone moment for CHI and the entire community in the fight against COVID-19.

CHI received an initial allotment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and began offering it to employees in phases on a voluntary basis. Just a week later, CHI began giving the vaccine to its patients over 65 years of age.

Patients and community members have been turning to CHI for more information about the vaccines themselves, what to expect, and what steps they should take to protect themselves and others after being vaccinated.

Dr. Saint Anthony Amofah, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Academic Officer at Community Health of South Florida, Inc., is part of the team in charge of leading the healthcare system’s vaccination efforts across CHI. 

Here he answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the vaccination process:

Why should you get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The benefits of getting the vaccine outweigh the risks of the vaccine. The COVID-19 disease is worrisome and can be deadly for many people. It can cause pneumonia, making patients feel very sick and overwhelmed with shortness of breath. Fortunately, the vaccine decreases the chances of having a severe COVID-19 illness.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

Yes, it has been very well studied, and so far, side effects have been minimal. They include injection site pain and low-grade fever. Many of us have received the vaccine, and we have not suffered serious side effects.

Was the COVID-19 vaccine developed quickly?

Yes, it was. However, this is primarily because the technology used for these vaccines had been developed years ago for similar corona viruses.  Additionally, the entire world and governments pumped significant funding into developing the vaccine. For example, the funding allowed manufacturing plants to be built even before the vaccine testing was completed. Financing makes things happen faster, but you can rest assured, they did not take short cuts.

Must I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have already had COVID-19?

The current recommendation is yes. The vaccine gives you stronger immunity over a longer period than the disease.

Do I need to wear a mask after I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine prevents serious disease in 95% of people. There will be 5% who may still get very sick. Additionally, it is thought that you can still transmit COVID-19 to your loved ones if you get exposed, even if you don’t get sick.

Message from the CEO

I feel a sense of hope and excitement as we head into a new year, our 50th anniversary as an organization, and now a federal structure to combat COVID-19.

Change is coming, and we are seeing the glimmers of healing and recovery all around us. 

Here at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) we have started to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to our staff, the frontline healthcare workers, and to those over the age of 65. We hope the government will continue to enhance the supply of the vaccine and soon open restrictions so it is more widely available. Then we will all be on the road to recovery. I have received the vaccine and so have many of the doctors and nurses here at CHI. I encourage you all to do the same. It is the only way to stay safe and finally rid ourselves of this pandemic. 

In fact, on February 15th, we will be hosting a webinar as part of our Black History Month celebration. This virtual conference will focus on the role that blacks have played in vaccine development as well as the current COVID-19 vaccines. 

We will explore the long history of vaccine hesitancy among people of color and explain why getting the COVID-19 vaccine is so critical. I hope you will join us for this important webinar. 

You can register here

chisouthfl.org/blackhistory

Did you know a black female scientist helped develop the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine? In March, we’re celebrating key women, like her, during Women’s History Month. Of course, among these women is our very own Doris Ison, who founded CHI back in 1971, and now, 50 years later, her labor of love has grown into 11 thriving health centers, with comprehensive services throughout Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. 

Female pioneers are all around us, making sacrifices for the betterment of others. These are the women who continue to inspire change. In March, we hope you will donate to the Children’s Crisis Center in honor of one of these special women. You can find more information about our campaign at the end of this newsletter. 

Let’s celebrate the future together as we work towards a healthier community. For 50 years, CHI has eliminated barriers to health care for everyone, regardless of income or race. We are proud to continue to serve you and your family as your medical home.

With Gratitude,

Brodes H. Hartley, Jr.

Direct Relief and the Miami Heat Recognize and Celebrate CHI Staff With Special Event

The Miami HEAT, Direct Relief, and CHI leaders stand together as they celebrate the donation presented to Direct Relief’s Health Equity Fund.

Kantrell Young, Executive Secretary at Community Health of South Florida, Inc., couldn’t contain her excitement as she arrived at the main entrance of Doris Ison Health Center. Burnie, the Miami HEAT Mascot, was dancing, and the HEAT dancers were shaking their hips along with him. The music was pumping, and the Doris Ison parking lot had been transformed into a mega celebration.

This surprise helped lift the spirits of CHI employees, like Young. The Miami HEAT and Direct Relief joined forces to donate funding and serve meals to 400 frontline healthcare workers and patients on January 15, 2021. The memorable event brought smiles and much needed laughter during this stressful pandemic.

“ CHI is honored and grateful to receive donations, lunch, and a festive visit from Direct Relief and the Miami HEAT” said Brodes H. Hartley, Jr., CHI CEO. “It’s wonderful to be recognized.  I know this gesture will go a long way with our team at CHI, as we continue to devote ourselves to the health care of this community.”

At the celebration, the Miami HEAT and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation presented a check for $1,000,000 to Direct Relief’s Health Equity Fund. The donation gives health centers like CHI access to funding needed to serve its communities.

“We are very appreciative to Direct Relief and the HEAT for what they do for the community and for what they are doing today for CHI,” said Hartley.

COVID-19 has disproportionally affected people of color with higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and death from the COVID-19 virus. This event honored the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday as organizations worked to deliver a positive change and uplift the Black community.

Miami HEAT legend Glen Rice, TV host and courtside reporter Jason Jackson, and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee joined the fun and even handed out lunch at the event.

“I am so thankful for the meal and the great experience we just had,” said Kantrell Young. “It feels good to be acknowledged for everything we have accomplished throughout this pandemic.”

CHI staff members said they walked away from the event, feeling a renewed sense of optimism and energy.

“It is a privilege to work for CHI, and I really appreciate all the unforgettable moments our partners provide to us every single day,” said Young.

NBC: Professionals Say 2020 Will Have Long-Term Impacts on Mental Health [Twitter]

What We Know and Still Don’t Know About COVID-19

Dr. Saint Anthony Amofah, Senior VP, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Academic Officer for CHI has been an integral leader of the CHI COVID-19 Response Team

A year into the world’s COVID-19 pandemic and much is still unknown about the illness.  But every day, Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) learns new insights and developments for the South Florida community. 

Dr. Saint Anthony Amofah, Senior VP, Chief Medical Officer for CHI, and Chief Academic Officer, gives us some answers to the most common questions:

What can you tell us about convalescent plasma for COVID-19?

Some studies are beginning to show that when a patient recovers from COVID-19, they develop antibodies. Those antibodies appear to be helpful in controlling the virus. If a patient currently has COVID-19, they might not yet have formed antibodies. This patient could receive the plasma as a possible treatment to attack the virus. 

What can you do to help keep yourself and others healthy?

It’s important to use masks appropriately, which means covering both your nose and mouth. We should also take social distancing very seriously. If you need to take your mask off, you need to be least 6 feet away from anyone. I think that is the biggest problem that people have is not staying away from folks when they have their masks off. Let’s say that you are talking to a person who is sick and does have their mask on. If you are less than 6 feet away, even with your mask on, they can still deposit the virus in your eyes. People should also keep in mind to wash their hands with soap as much as possible and at least use hand sanitizer every time you touch a surface.

Can you get the virus from touching surfaces?

Yes, you can. It is not high risk, but it has a significant risk. Somebody who is coughing, and sneezing can deposit droplets on the surface. 

How long do droplets remain in the air? Can they be pushed through the air conditioning ducts?

That is something that we are still trying to figure out. Droplets are small drops of liquid that drop quickly. The other one we are also worried about are called droplet nuclei or aerosols. These are the ones that suspend in the air. However, the thinking is that even though they might be infected, they might not have enough virus to infect other people unless you are in a closed space with an infected person for a period of time. Air conditioning has not been shown consistently as a way to transmit the virus, except in high risk environments like hospitals. However, there is guidance on how to minimize the risk.

What about groceries, packages and take-out food?

The food within the container has a very small risk of being contaminated because it has been cooked at high temperatures. If you order takeout stick to things that they don’t touch when it is done cooking. The covering of the food is what you must be careful about the most, since it can potentially exchange hands. You should take all precautionary actions to disinfect it and remove the food from the container. If you go to the grocery store, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that you must not use disinfectants designed for hard surfaces, such as bleach or ammonia, on food packaged in cardboard or plastic wrap. Wash your vegetables and fruits with regular soap.

What do we know or suspect about the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on the body?

There is a lot of research being done at this point. CHI will be participating in research on this topic with Nova Southeastern University on looking at the long-term impacts. So far, we know that the virus can affect some organs of your body. First, it can affect the lungs as some people that have the virus might develop Pneumonia. Once COVID-19 is gone, some people have had issues with their hearts. COVID-19 can cause blood clots that can affect your heart and other organs like the kidneys and the brain. The truth is that it all really depends on how severe the virus was in your body. Not everyone will demonstrate long-term impacts. 

Do pregnant women have a greater risk of getting sick from COVID-19?

The CDC has learned that pregnant women tend to have a more severe illness. They have a possibility of developing a high-risk pregnancy with preterm birth. 

For more information on COVID-19 testing at CHI, please visit: https://chisouthfl.org/covid[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”15px” down=”15px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

CHI Dental Department Uses High Tech Innovations to Keep Patients Safe

From left to right, Dr. Sheri Watson-Hamilton and Dental Assistant, Hilda Moreta, perform a routine care procedure using a rubber dam over the patient’s mouth.

Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) has gone above and beyond most dental practices and put in place high-tech innovative devices and strategies to combat COVID-19. These highly effective safety measures open the door for dental patients to safely return to dental care.

“Our first job is to be sure that our patients are safe,” said Dr. Sheri Watson-Hamilton, Director of Oral Health Services at CHI. “We are infection control experts and we are ready to provide a safe dental visit to all of our patients.”

Now, due to COVID-19, there are additional safety precautions in place, many of them recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Dental Association. 

The dentists and hygienists wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that they change between patients. This is a ritual that requires them to take off booties, gowns, goggles, gloves and surgical masks and replace them with clean ones.

Once patients go into their appointments, they will be asked to wash their mouths with a 

pre-procedural rinse before treatment to reduce any bacteria in the saliva.

“This is an extra 30-second procedure that will contribute to a productive, safe work environment,” said Dr. Watson-Hamilton. 

In addition, dentists at CHI use rubber dams over a patient’s mouth for all procedures to limit the spray of germs from the mouth.

“This protective sheet has a hole that we position over a tooth and it allows us to isolate the treatment area,” explained Dr. Watson-Hamilton. “It helps us to stop oral bacteria from potentially contaminating the area.”

CHI’s Dental Services also utilize three high-volume suction procedures that create a dry and clean environment, improving the quality of its operatories. 

“We are using what’s called an extraoral dental suction system,” said Dr. Watson-Hamilton. She explains it’s a machine used outside of the mouth. “We use it to effectively suction aerosols or germs in the air that might contaminate the dental room.” 

CHI added another precaution that goes beyond what most other practices are doing and introduced “cold-fogging” in all CHI dental offices.

“Fogging is a technique we are using where we spray a safe-to-breathe disinfectant on all interior surfaces and providers in the cleaning process to ensure germs and viruses are eliminated,” said Dr. Watson-Hamilton. “We do this as soon as we are done with every appointment.” 

 

Watch this video to see it on action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6S9HwP0gyE[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”15px” down=”15px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Message from the CEO

 

Brodes H. Hartley Jr. – CHI CEO

What a roller coaster of a year 2020 has been! We are all eager to get off this wild ride. COVID-19, the economy, race relations and politics have consumed us all. Our way of life has changed. But as I look back at the year that was, I see great resilience. I see innovation and I see strength.

The team at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) has reinvented itself and the delivery of comprehensive healthcare to meet the needs of the community. CHI was the first to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties and continues to do so. The team worked tirelessly to implement SafeCare Procedures to ensure that our health centers were safe for our staff and patients. We put in place telehealth services to make sure that everyone still had access to care even if quarantined at home. We also unveiled our mobile medical van taking healthcare into some of the most hard-to-reach

communities.

But collectively all of you also showed your strength. Together, we broke ground for a new Children’s Crisis Center slated to open in 2021. That project continues to be supported through your donations. You also made signs, sent gifts,

and showed your support and gratitude for our healthcare workers. Your love and gratitude helped to keep our team going during some of the toughest times. 

There are lessons learned. I see one of the greatest takeaways from 2020 was that together all things are possible. This holiday, I thank you all for the gift we’ve given each other. My hope is that we continue to be there for each other as we heal and head into the New Year. The year 2021 is a golden year of celebration! This fine organization turns 50 years old! We are hosting a year-long celebration of events under the theme “Legacy of Excellence in Caring.” I am so excited and proud to reach this milestone for CHI. I hope you all will participate and stay engaged in the coming year of celebrations.

 

With Gratitude,

Brodes H. Hartley, Jr.