CHI Gives COVID-19 Vaccines to Younger Kids and Booster Shots to Adults

CBS 4 News Anchor Eliott Rodriguez received the COVID-19 booster shot at the Doris Ison Health Center.

Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) is dedicated to keeping the community safe and healthy. In line with CDC guidelines, CHI is now administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-17 years old. It is also providing vaccinations and booster shots for those 18 and older“This expanded eligibility for lifesaving vaccines moves us closer to ending the pandemic,” said Patricia Philippe, Director of Education, Infection Prevention and Control.

CHI is also providing the additional dose for adults of the COVID-19 vaccine. This third dose is for those who received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least 6 months prior.

“At CHI, we are here for you. Whether you are bringing your children to get the first dose or to get tested for COVID-19,” said Philippe. “We have all the options ready for you whenever you need them.”

Patients and community members have been turning to CHI for more information about the vaccines, what to expect, and who is eligible for an additional dose. Philippe answers some of the most asked questions:

Why children should get vaccinated for COVID-19?

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children ages 5 years and older from getting COVID-19. Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.

Vaccinating kids can help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities.

Who should get booster COVID-19 shots?

Adults should get a booster shot. The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age and can also increase for adults with underlying medical conditions.

At CHI, patients can find all three vaccines: Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson. CHI is also offering three COVID-19 tests (the PCR test, rapid test, and antibody test) in several of its locations.

Patients can make their appointment or walk into any CHI health center location. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and testing, please visit chisouthfl.org/covidvaccine.

or call (305) 252-4820.

Glen Rice Celebrity Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Children’s Crisis Center

(left to right) Glen Rice, former NBA All-Star, Livan Hernandez, former Major League baseball pitcher, Michel Valdez and Ryan Keltz stand together as they golf at the Glen Rice Celebrity Golf Tournament

Nearly 100 golfers and celebrities teed off at the Biltmore golf course on October 7, 2021, swinging away for a special cause. For the first time the tournament took place at the elite, upscale, Biltmore Golf Course. Guests enjoyed a day full of fun complete with 18 holes of golf, lunch and a dinner awards celebration.

Participants helped to raise more than $100,0000 for the Children’s Crisis Center. A worthy cause said celebrity golfers such as former Major League Baseball pitcher, Livan Hernandez, and former NBA All Star Glen Rice. 

“Ever since I came to Miami, when I was drafted by the Miami Heat, I’ve had a devotion to give back to the community,” said Rice. “CHI is doing great things for the community and trying to help those who are less fortunate and I’m all about that.”

(left to right) Anthony Acevedo, CHI Foundation President, Brodes H. Hartley Jr., CEO, Larry Renouf, Elias Feanny, Gaston Rodriguez, Kenny Sowma and Glen Rice hang together as the 1st place foursome winners receive their prices.

“I want to thank everyone for making this day possible,” said Brodes H. Hartley, Jr., CHI CEO. “We are definitely swinging for a great cause. What a beautiful day of partnership and philanthropy!”

CHI President, Blake Hall, played golf and reflected on the day’s big wins. “This is a win for children who are struggling with their own mental health. The support from this tournament will change lives and that’s a big deal. It means together we can heal our community.”

If you’d like to donate, please visit https://chisouthfl.org/give/ or call (305) 252-4853.

The Power of Your Donations: How Community Health Centers Change Lives

CHI’s 50th birthday year is all about full circle moments. Fifty years ago, an immigrant farmworker and activist Doris Ison had a vision to provide affordable, quality care to all. With the support of donors and the community, Community Health of South Florida, Inc. has been able to achieve this vision, expanding its services and changing people’s lives along the way.

 

This was especially true during CHI’s virtual White Coat Ceremony on June 23. One incoming resident, Dr. Yeily Hernandez-Mato, had been in a terrible car accident as a homeless 18-year-old. When she was released from the hospital four months later, Hernandez and her mother had nowhere to go. With no money or insurance for care, they went to CHI, where the doctors took care of them, allowing Hernandez to make a full recovery. From that day on, Hernandez vowed to walk in her doctors’ footsteps, a dream that was fulfilled when she finally donned on her white coat. She now has the opportunity to pay it forward to the new generation of CHI patients.

 

Hernandez’s story is a testament to the power of donations. Every donation to Community Health of South Florida not only helps the organization deliver health care to South Florida but, more importantly, it empowers the community to achieve their dreams and goals.

 

To listen to Hernandez’s full story on NBC 6 here.

Ocean Reef Community Foundation Partners with CHI to Vaccinate Vulnerable Communities

Ocean Reef Community Foundation is an organization rooted in philanthropy and invested in meaningful charities throughout South Florida. Every year, the Foundation provides support via an annual grants program to distribute funds to nonprofit organizations serving the community. This year, the team at Ocean Reef Community Foundation went even further and partnered with Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) to address and facilitate COVID vaccination for the protection of our residents.

In order to be responsive to the needs caused by the pandemic, the Foundation created the COVID-19 Relief Fund, giving it the opportunity to expand its geographic limitations and include more neighbors than its annual program. For this, it needed a partner that was rooted in the community, so the Foundation reached out to CHI. The result: a $42,848 grant for COVID-19 vaccinations in south Miami-Dade and Monroe counties with a focus on vulnerable populations.

“CHI was the ideal partner for what we wanted to achieve with this particular vaccination grant. The many locations in the Keys and Homestead are perfectly aligned with our interest areas, and CHI is well-positioned to reach those most in need as a trusted messenger,” said Yurianna Mikolay, Executive Director of Ocean Reef Community Foundation. “While we were also funding larger mass vaccination efforts, CHI helped us to complement the big events by reaching those who couldn’t access them for a variety of reasons.”

CHI and Ocean Reef Community Foundation made COVID-19 vaccines available through a series of small to medium-scale vaccination events at Marathon, Tavernier, Florida City, Homestead, Naranja, Goulds, and Perrine. It is also collaborated with other organizations to ensure key neighborhoods are vaccinated. Ultimately, the project allowed CHI to administer 2,258 vaccines to individuals in need.

“The driving force behind this effort was our desire to help remove barriers and get as many people as possible vaccinated, leaving no one behind. No one is really safe until everyone is safe,” said Mikolay. “CHI helped provide the opportunity to many who would not have had it without this grant. We couldn’t ask for a better partner and we’re grateful for CHI’s expertise and reach.”

 

Message From CEO

The success of our 50th birthday celebrations continues to lift us up and drive CHI forward. We held our first Donor Recognition Event, where we inducted more than 80 donors into CHI’s Giving Societies with cumulative giving between $1,000  to over $300,000.  Thank you to our inductees for believing in CHI. If you missed our event, you can watch it by visiting www.chsiouthffl.org/givingsocieties.

The event was made extra special with the announcement of a $50,000 gift from Direct Relief. Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization active in all 50 states and in 80 countries, dedicated to improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. In the past, Direct Relief has been instrumental in helping CHI acquire our Medical Mobile Van and PPE for our medical teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. And now, their $50,000 grant will help CHI continue providing quality care to the South Florida community. We are very grateful to the Direct Relief team for their support.

With less than $1 million away from our goal, our Children’s Crisis Center capital campaign is nearing the finish line – but not before we enjoy a few more festivities! Join us on our special birthday year for a variety of exciting events and fundraising initiatives. On September 25, we’re hosting our Golden Legacy 50th Anniversary Gala, complete with dancing, food, and incredible milestones. On October 7, we invite you to bring your ‘A’ game to our annual Glen Rice Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Biltmore Hotel Golf Course. All proceeds will go toward helping children with severe mental illness via our Children’s Crisis Center. To sponsor or buy your tickets to these events, visit chisouthfl.org/gala or chisouthfl.org/golf.

If you can’t make our events, there are plenty of other ways to give. Participate in CHI’s Happy Birthday Campaign, where every gift received this year, no matter the amount, is recognized on our Birthday Wall at Doris Ison Health Center and on our website. You can also design your own brick with a special message that will be laid at the entrance of the Children’s Crisis Center to welcome all who come for care. To donate, please visit our website at chisouthfl.org/give.

 

Sincerely,

Brodes H. Hartley, Jr.

Keeping Children Active During A Pandemic Is Key

Dr. Stanley Sack, Pediatrician at CHI Marathon Health Center

By Dr. Stanley Sack, Pediatrician at the Marathon Health Center

The National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) appointed a Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) team member to its national board. Eunice Hines, Director of Migrant Health and Outreach Services, said she is excited to serve in this capacity.

Hines has been with CHI since 2007, ensuring the migrant and homeless community receives adequate health and social services.

“As part of the NHCHC board, I will work to improve homeless health care through training assistance, sharing best practices, and uplifting the voices of people experiencing homelessness.”

Hines has facilitated numerous efforts at CHI to assist the homeless community in South Florida. 

Hines oversees CHI’s Mobile Medical Van and outreach team designated to provide greater access to care in the community. The van visits local homeless camps every week to provide primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health services, and other resources. 

“The mobile medical van has reached people experiencing homelessness who have not been to the doctor in years,” said Hines. “Some were diagnosed and treated for chronic illnesses.”

Despite the trying times, CHI was also able to offer COVID-19 testing in homeless encampments within the community and is expecting to do the same with the vaccine distribution.

“We are always looking for different ways to help our community,” said Hines. “We even provided care packs filled with personal supplies.”

 

CHI says “Thank You” with National Health Center Week and School Physical Day

Barbara Cesar, Director of Education at Centro Campesino, received backpacks for the agricultural workers during NHCW Agricultural Worker Health Day in 2020.

If health centers are the chemistry for strong communities, then patients are the elements that keep them bonded together. Community Health of South Florida (CHI) understands that without the patients, it would not be the organization it is today. To show appreciation, CHI wants to celebrate patients and staff during National Health Center Week (NHCW).

“National Health Center Week (NHCW) is an annual celebration that raises awareness about the mission and accomplishments of community health centers across the nation. It is an opportunity for the organization to celebrate the commitment and work of our staff, the support of our community partners, and the loyalty of our patients,” says Carol Blackwell-Curry, CHI Director of Volunteer Services and Event Coordination.

CHI’s National Health Center Week will be filled with special events for the community. Each day is focused on service and gratitude. During NHCW, August 8-14, CHI will reach all parts of the community, including public housing, agricultural workers, and the homeless population. CHI will also thank patients for 50 years of loyalty on their very own Patient Appreciation day. On Saturday, August 14th, CHI will host a family-friendly drive-in movie night that is open to the public. Upon entry, each car will be given movie snack bags and backpacks with school supplies.

CHI also plans to show appreciation to its devoted and compassionate staff. The care team works cooperatively all year to provide high-quality health care, improve health outcomes, and narrow health disparities.

“We thank all of you for trusting us with your healthcare needs for 50 years,” said Blake Hall, CHI President. “We also thank our staff for the hard work and dedication that you put in day in and day out providing quality care to South Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.”

NHCW activities build on CHI’s past while celebrating and getting ready for its future.

Health in Public Housing Day
8/9 – CHI delivers school supplies to the community.

Agricultural Worker Day
8/10 – CHI visits Centro Campesino Farmworkers Center to deliver Care Packs with school supplies to families.

Patient Appreciation Day
8/11 – CHI thanks its patients for 50 years of loyalty.

Stakeholder Appreciation Day
8/12 – CHI delivers plaques to Miami-Dade and Monroe police and community partners.

Healthcare for the Homeless Day & Staff Appreciation Day
8/13 – CHI delivers backpacks with supplies to the homeless and honors its amazing staff.

Children & Youth Day
8/13 – CHI hosts Drive-In Movie Night from 7PM to 10PM.

Another special event that CHI has in store is School Physical Day. CHI will provide affordable school and sports physicals as well as free vaccinations on Saturday, August 21st, so students can get back to school healthy and safe. Events like this help to eliminate barriers to care.
School Physicals $35 | Sports Physicals with EKG $50 and without EKG $35

 

Message From CEO

National Health Center week is one of my favorite times of the year because it highlights the great contributions that community health centers, like Community Health of South Florida, Inc., have made to their communities.

For us, it is extra special as we continue to celebrate our 50th anniversary. We will be hosting exciting events throughout the week, where we will visit different parts of the community. To close off National Health Center Week, we will also be having a Drive-In Movie Night. I hope you will join us and keep up with all the fun on our social media accounts.

It is also back to school time, so make sure the kids come in for their school and sports physicals. You can get them in now before the rush and avoid the stress.

I also want to take this opportunity to underscore the importance of getting vaccinated against the deadly COVID-19 virus. The variants are bouncing back with vengeance, putting unvaccinated people at risk. The hospitals are filling up with those who are unvaccinated while the rest of us who have been vaccinated are not getting seriously ill. Here at CHI, we offer free vaccinations for you or anyone in your family 12 years of age or older. Just call to schedule your appointment today or go to our website to request an appointment at chisouthfl.org. Let’s leave this pandemic behind us. The only way to do so is to encourage your family and friends to get vaccinated.

We are also encouraging folks to get vaccinated so that they can safely attend our Golden Legacy 50th Anniversary Gala celebration on September 25th at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport and Convention Center. This premiere event will honor the legacy of excellence in compassionate, quality care that CHI has created over the last five decades. It will also benefit the Children’s Crisis Center, a new facility that will be completed at our Doris Ison Health Center campus by next year.
Head over to our website chisouthfl.org to get your gala tickets, request an appointment for vaccination or school physicals, and to get more information on our National Health Center Week events.

 

Regards,

Brodes H. Hartley, Jr.

The Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. Teaching Health Center Celebrates 2021 Graduation and White Coat Ceremony

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The Brodes H. Hartley Teaching Health Center class of 2021 (left to right) Dr. Romeena Lee, Dr. Janey Garcia Oviedo, Dr. Jana Cua, Dr. Jamie Bolduc and Dr. Jheannel White, stand together as they receive their medal of recognition.

There was something very unique about the 2021 graduating class of the Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. Teaching Health Center. It wasn’t the fact that all five graduates were brilliant young doctors, even though they were. It was the fact that all of them were women. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there has been a steady rise in the number of women students, and CHI’s 2021 class was living proof.

Four family medicine residents and one psychiatry resident received medals and certificates at the graduation on June 12.

“We are very proud of our graduates,” said Dr. Elizabeth Philippe, Chief of Family Medicine, Associate Director of Medical Education, and Program Director for Family Medicine. “They are now better clinicians with diverse experience, who are ready to provide high-quality services.”

The graduation was streamed live on CHI’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Dr. Romeena Lee, graduate and chief resident, addressed those in attendance.

“I have found a place that fulfilled my heart again, where I was able to learn and help those with the most needs,” said Dr. Lee. “I call CHI my ‘little gem in the South’.”

Brodes H. Hartley, Jr., CEO, proudly places a white coat on Dr. Stainley Williams’ shoulders, new family medicine resident.

Dr. Sydney Coupet, founder of SPARK Health, delivered the keynote address.
“I am so excited to share this special day with these graduates and their families as they start the next phase of their medical career,” said Dr. Coupet. “CHI has definitely attracted the best and brightest physicians from across the country to train right here and enhance its goal to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care to the community.”

On June 23, CHI also held a virtual White Coat Ceremony to welcome the incoming class of residents, which included four family medicine and three psychiatry residents. The donning of the white coat is a symbol of passage for incoming residents, as they take on the responsibility of becoming a physician for the community.

This moment was especially important for resident Dr. Yeily Hernandez-Mato. When she was only 18, she nearly died in a violent car accident. Four months later, she was released from the hospital, left to recover in her mother’s car as the two of them were homeless. Without any money or insurance, Hernandez-Mato went to CHI where doctors nursed her back to health. On June 23, she returned full circle to train and serve among those doctors.

“It’s an emotional moment for me to come back to CHI,” said Dr. Hernandez-Mato. “The care team here showed me compassion, and now I have the opportunity to show others the same compassion.”

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CHI Receives a $52,000 Grant to Help End the HIV Pandemic in South Florida

(Left to right) C.A.R.E.S team members Tabitha Hunter, Charles Garcia and Joann Montalvo stand together ready to serve the South Florida community.

Florida remains among the top five states with the highest rates of HIV diagnoses, according to Becker’s Hospital Review. In South Florida, individuals are faced with stigmas that stem in part from cultural diversity. Many Hispanics, Haitians, and African-Americans have certain biases toward HIV, which pose a challenge to individuals who may be seeking testing or treatment. 

“Individuals with HIV have, what we call, a social death before they have a physical death,” said Tabitha Hunter, the C.A.R.E.S. (Comprehensive AIDS Resources and Education Services) Manager at CHI. “The social death causes them to go into hiding or become secretive about their diagnosis. Therefore, they don’t tell their partners, and people get infected because they know if they tell someone, everyone is going to look at them the wrong way.”

In addition to the stigma and secrecy, delivering services to individuals at risk of HIV or with HIV became even more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. The C.A.R.E.S. department at CHI provides prevention and intervention services to HIV patients. During the pandemic, outreach was very challenging as most people were in quarantine and social events were canceled. People were asked to come in-person to CHI’s health centers, as long as they weren’t COVID-19 positive.

This year, just in time for HIV Awareness Day, the department received a $52,000 grant from the Miami-Dade County Health Department to be used over a five-month period. This grant is part of an initiative with the Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA) to end the HIV epidemic in the community. 

Now, CHI can continue bringing awareness to HIV, transmission, testing, and treatment. Through this grant, the C.A.R.E.S. team is focused on community events, both virtual and in-person, as well as outreach in high-risk and low-income areas. They will distribute condoms and administer HIV testing via drive-throughs and CHI’s mobile medical vans. The team will also educate the community on a new prevention initiative: PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It is a medicine that at-risk individuals who do not have HIV can take in order to prevent infection.  

Furthermore, the C.A.R.E.S. department is changing the way it reaches out to individuals. Rather than going door-to-door, the team will be using social media to connect with a wider audience, in hopes of opening up conversations about HIV and expanding access to services. “Just because they are HIV positive doesn’t mean that they are not a human being,” said Hunter. “They still have feelings. They still have emotional needs, physical needs, and sexual needs, so people are not going to stop having sex because they’re HIV positive. We need to get the word out about the services available to them.”