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.

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]

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.

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21273″ img_size=”750×450″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”15px” down=”15px”][vc_column_text]The 26 families serving as foster parents in Community Health of South Florida, Inc.’s Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care Program are facing tough times. The challenge of caring for a foster child with severe behavioral health issues can be a daunting task. But with COVID-19, quarantine, and online school, the job has become astronomically more difficult. That is why CHI set out to do something special to recognize those parents for their devotion and love. 

“I’ve been taking care of children for over seven years, and for me, there is no greater satisfaction than to make them feel like they matter,” said therapeutic foster mom, Ms. Alina. “It feels great to be recognized for the tireless effort we make for these amazing children.”

Usually, the organization hosts an annual foster care appreciation brunch, but this year, that was not possible. So instead, the drive-through appreciation event helped show foster parents that their work has not gone unnoticed. 

Making the decision to become a foster parent is a serious commitment to a child. That’s why CHI’s team of therapeutic foster parents are truly an example of perseverance and admiration.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”15px” down=”15px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21269″ img_size=”250×300″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) is excited to announce the promotion of Blake Hall as its new president. He has been with the non-profit healthcare company for 15 years and has excelled at securing opportunity, growth, and quality care improvements.

Hall is promoted after serving as the federally qualified health center’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. Previously, he served as the Director of Planning and Development and Administrator for the CHI Foundation. Over the years, Hall has helped the organization grow from a $30-million-dollar agency to now a more than $75-million-dollar company by securing multiple funding sources. Those funds allowed for the opening of five new health centers, effect multiple capital improvement projects, and formed the basis for the Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. Teaching Health Center at CHI. The Teaching Health Center was the first in the state of Florida funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Hall has also led strategic planning for the organization since 2008. 

“Blake has demonstrated a strong ability to lead and inspire others,” said Brodes H. Hartley, Jr., CEO. “His vision and dedication to our mission has helped create new programs, guide and improve existing services, and propel the organization forward. I am confident that under his leadership, CHI will continue on its journey to excellence.”

Hall has been a big advocate for community health centers. As such, he has spoken at House and Senate committee meetings and regularly meets with legislators. 

Hall has received a number of awards and recognitions over the years, including Legacy Magazine’s Top Black Healthcare Professional in 2016, 40 Under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow, multiple CEO awards, and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Betsey K. Cooke Grassroots MVP Award. Under his leadership, the organization won the Florida Governor’s Sterling Award in 2016 and the NACHC  Advocacy Center of Excellence recognition.

Currently, he serves as the 2nd Vice Chair of the National Association of Community Health Centers Membership Committee. He is active in the community and has participated in multiple chambers and organizations. He is a current member of the Iota Pi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Hall graduated from the intensive Health Care Executive Program at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) funded by HRSA and Johnson & Johnson.  He has completed leadership training from Nova Southeastern University, attended Leadership Miami and received advanced public information officer training from FEMA. His formal education includes a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Clark Atlanta University and an undergraduate degree in communication from Georgia Southern University.

Prior to joining CHI, Hall worked for Eagle Group International, a logistics, health care, and training firm, in the United Arab Emirates and for the US Army Reserve. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]