Beyond the Exam Room: Addressing Patients' Social Determinants of Health to Achieve Health Equity
Sep 6, 2018I can’t remember how many liquor stores we drove past, advertising cheap cigarettes and cold beer. But I will never forget the blocks of abandoned, fire-damaged homes. After decades of economic downturn, an arson epidemic had erupted in the neighborhoods of Flint, Michigan, in the district that surrounded the only pediatric clinic in the area. I rode the bus past the only two grocery stores in that part of town, a food oasis in a devasta...
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Join the Conversation: A Quick Guide for Organizing Your Health Center's Social Media Strategy
Aug 8, 2018How many times have you checked your Facebook today? Be honest! Did you send a tweet or post a new photo on Instagram? Do you use social media as a way to catch up on news, or are you in it strictly for the viral cat videos? In today’s social media age, the way in which we gather and share information has completely changed! After composing your Facebook post or tweet, a click of a button can make your thought acc...
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Reversing a Deadly Trend: Identifying Risks of Mental Health Crisis and Suicide
Jul 11, 2018As those who work in healthcare can attest, achieving good health outcomes requires so much more than just treating the physical body. While much of our focus revolves (rightfully so) around preventive primary care and managing chronic disease, just as much attention should be given to a patient’s mental health and emotional well-being. Of particular concern, is our nation’s growing suicide rate. Did you know that su...
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Why Do We Have to Make An Emergency Plan?
Jun 6, 2018For some of us, the real incentive for developing an emergency plan is that CMS demands it of Medicare and Medicaid health care providers. Don’t comply, and you’re taking the chance of being dinged at your next OSV. But let’s also be practical: Planning is a good idea, and your final plan should cover all possible contingencies. In Louisiana we can forgo plans for volcanos, rock slides, or typhoons, but we know that the...
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Making a Positive Difference: The Community Health Center as a Force for Good
May 14, 2018I am often asked why I chose to pursue a career working in Federally Qualified Health Centers. I made this career choice because I find the mission, vision and community service commitment of Federally Qualified Health Centers to be perfectly aligned with my morals, values, spiritual convictions and selfless leadership community service commitment. In fact, I don't see working as the Chief Executive Officer of a Community Healt...
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How CHCs Make the Difference Against the Opioid Epidemic
Apr 17, 2018Recently, at NACHC’s annual Policy & Issues Forum in Washington, DC, we heard from HHS Sec. Alex Azar whose remarks stemmed from a conviction that Community Health Centers across America are among the most conducive partners in the fight against the opioid crisis. He emphasized the invaluable preventative and primary care services being provided on the ground floor of this epidemic by Americans dedicated to caring for the least among...
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