A Message from the President

[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=”21116″ 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]I hope this message finds you safe and in good health. We are living through tough times. COVID-19 is spreading through South Florida and on top of that, we have civil unrest linked to the ongoing battle for equality. Our founder, Doris Ison, was a change agent and a visionary. She wanted to be sure that everyone, regardless of economic background or race, had access to high-quality healthcare. Today we continue to fulfill her vision.

I want to commend our team, the heroes on the front lines, who come to work every day despite the circumstances, to care for our patients. We set the tone in South Florida by being the first to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing in Miami-Dade and Monroe County. It’s a service that we continue to do for free to you. Our teams are also working around the clock to clean and disinfect to ensure our health centers are clean and safe for you. We are pleased to see that many of you are returning to the health centers for care. Some who wish to see the doctor from home have been taking advantage of our telehealth services. It’s easy and convenient, and helps you maintain your health throughout this pandemic. I am so proud to have held our virtual groundbreaking for our children’s crisis center as well as virtual graduation and white coat ceremonies for our graduating residents and incoming class of residents. In August, we will celebrate National Health Center Week. During that time, we highlight the valuable work that community health centers like Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) do for some of the most vulnerable populations. It’s a time when we will visit the homeless, those living in public housing, and our migrant community, and give them special care packs. We also have contests and educational resources for children. You can read all about our National Health Center week plans at chisouthfl.org/Nationalhealthcenterweek.

I am also excited to tell you about our new mobile medical van. We just purchased it thanks to support from Direct Relief and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The van is state of the art and will help us provide greater access on wheels with primary care, pediatrics, and behavioral health services. The mobile van will go to four of our nearby public housing centers and also local homeless camps. We have always gone above and beyond to reach everyone and fulfill the great Doris Ison’s vision for equality in care.

Yours truly,

 

 

 

Brodes H. Hartley, Jr.

President/CEO[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]