On May 4th, therapeutic foster mom Maureen Lewis was welcomed by honks, cheers, and applause as she drove into the Doris Ison Health Center with her two foster children. After a difficult year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she smiled at the familiar faces waving back at her.

In honor of Foster Parent Appreciation Month, the staff at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) gathered in the parking lot with a tent full of self-care gifts for Lewis and the other 27 families served by the Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care Program. Typically an in-person luncheon, this year’s Foster Parent Appreciation event was held via a drive-through format to express gratitude and appreciation for CHI’s therapeutic foster parents, while complying with CDC guidelines.

“Some days are rough, and that day I felt appreciated so much,” Lewis said. “The cheering and clapping were very special for me. It showed me that I’m not working alone. CHI put a lot of effort into making sure that we understood that we are appreciated.”

Parents of the Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care Program, like Lewis, foster children with behavioral health issues and are trained to handle severe outbursts and trauma every day. What is already a challenging task was further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lewis did not have the option to work from home during lockdown. With the shortage of day care access for foster children, she had to use her vacation days in order to stay home with the kids. Many outdoor activities were also cancelled, and most therapeutic services that would normally be in-home were moved to telehealth.

“Being a foster parent is a 24/7 job, and many of these kids have been with five or more families,” said Maria Zuniga, head of the Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care Program.

Zuniga, who works with these foster parents day in and day out, was also at the Foster Appreciation Drive-Through. She said the impact that foster parents have is life-changing.

“The parents in our program are making sure that these kids don’t end up homeless or in the prison system. They are helping to break the cycle,” Zuniga said. “Our hope is that these kids can go to school, make a career, and create families of their own one day.”Despite the challenges they faced, CHI’s therapeutic foster parents persevered – a true testament to their dedication and unwavering love for the children they foster.

 

On May 12th, excitement buzzed at the Doris Ison Health Center. As the Happy Birthday song played, CHI staff prepared for a day they would never forget: CHI’s 50th anniversary. In celebration of 50 years of service to the South Florida community, CHI held its Patient Loyalty Awards in the morning, which honored 15 families who have been patients for generations; 25, 30 and 50 years.

“It is a very emotional day for all of us when we look back at the five decades, a legacy of excellence in caring for the South Florida community and to think how far we have come, and the privilege you have given us to care for you and your families, some from birth well into old age,” said Tiffani Helberg, Vice President for Communications.

At the end of the ceremony, CHI presented the families with special gifts. On the count of three, each family opened their box, releasing paper butterflies into the air. President, Blake Hall, then gave his closing remarks, and the lively Junkanoo band took center stage to finish off a vibrant celebration.

In the evening, CHI’s virtual birthday party and donor recognition event celebrated the first annual induction of donors into the Giving Societies. Barry Johnson, Chair of the Children’s Crisis Center capital campaign, served as emcee for the ceremony. Attendees included Miami-Dade County.

Commissioner Kionne McGhee and State Representative Kevin Chambliss. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also made a special appearance via a video birthday message for CHI.

To open the event, CEO Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. recounted CHI’s rich history, from two trailers to 11 health centers, 35 school-based programs, mobile medical and dental units, and a teaching health center. The ceremony not only celebrated the organization’s milestones, but also created a new milestone along the way as more than 80 donors were inducted into CHI’s Giving Societies. Every single contribution has brought CHI closer to realizing the first Children’s Crisis Center in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

“Thanks to the immense support from the public and private donors, we are less than $1.2 million away from reaching the $5.5 million needed for construction,” said Anthony Acevedo, Chairman of the CHI Foundation. “The finish line for this campaign is clearly visible, and together we will cross it in the name of the thousands of children in our community suffering with severe mental illness.”

Outgoing Chairman of the Board, Arjun Saluja and Director of Development Victoria Castro ended the night with a few heartfelt words of gratitude for the people who make everything possible: CHI’s dedicated leaders and donors.

If you would like to support our Children’s Crisis Center, please visit chisouthfl.org/give.

Nurse Syndia Jean-Baptist sobbed when she received her ACTion Hero Award alongside fellow school-based nurses, Norma Carrasco and Bethany Simmons-Little, at Community Health of South Florida, Inc by the CEO, Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. 

The emotional wounds were still raw. Just two weeks prior, Jean-Baptist found herself performing CPR on her former high school teacher at Homestead Middle School on February 26th. 

“When I arrived, I noticed he was slumped over in a chair with agonal breathing and gasping sounds,” said Jean-Baptist. “I quickly gave directive to call 911.”

The teacher did not have a pulse and was placed on the floor where Nurse Jean-Baptist began chest compressions until fire rescue arrived. Very quickly, paramedics began further measures to save the teacher who was having a massive heart attack. 

“I just knew I had to give my everything to save his life,” she said.

Once he was breathing on his own again, the teacher was transferred to Jackson South Hospital. He survived for 9 days, just enough time for him to see his family again. Unfortunately, he later passed away after another heart attack.  

“It’s still very hard for me to process all of this,” said Jean-Baptist. “I am happy to know that I did all I could to give him another chance.”

Nurse Bethany Simmons-Little also experienced a similar case on February 18th when she saved a female teacher at Leisure City K-8 School. 

Simmons-Little was called into a classroom where she found the teacher unresponsive with her eyes opened and no pulse.

“It is very hard to find yourself in a situation like that,” said Simmons-Little. “The school was counting on me to save this woman’s life.”

She rapidly began chest compressions as a police officer utilized the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). 

“When paramedics arrived, they determined she had a massive heart attack,” said Simmons-Little. “I almost thought I lost her.”

The teacher was admitted to the ICU at Jackson South Hospital and is slowly recovering. After a successful surgery, she remains stable and alert.

“I am so thankful that I can be of help for those at Leisure City K-8 School to keep our next generations well and healthy,” said Simmons-Little.

Nurse Norma Carrasco also had to act quickly when she was called to the courtyard of Braddock Holmes High School. She found a student, who appeared gray in color, choking on a piece of chicken. 

“The school staff had already attempted to dislodge the chicken from the student’s airway before I got there,” said Carrasco. “My first thought was to apply the Heimlich maneuver to help him.”

Carrasco’s quick thinking saved the boy’s life. 

“I am very happy to say that he is doing very well, and there was no need to call 911,” said Carrasco.

 

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.