RECENT
EVENTS
National Health Center
Week
Aug.
6-12,
2006
Welcome to National Health Center Week ...
Each year the second week of August is a special week dedicated to recognizing the service and contributions of Community, Migrant, Homeless and Public Housing Health Centers.
America’s Health Centers are a nationwide network of care, with each local health center owned and directed by the very people it serves. Thanks to the health center model, people in over 4000 communities around the nation enjoy a true sense of "ownership" over their health care system.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael
Leavitt, Massachusetts League of Community Health
Centers President & CEO James W. Hunt, Jr. and CEO
and President of Dimock Community Health Center
Ruth Ellen Fitch.The nation’s first community health center opened its doors in Boston, Massachusetts in 1965, launching a nationwide community-based health movement. Today, 185 Massachusetts health center sites provide primary, dental and behavioral health care as well as school-based health programs and other community-based health services to more than 700,000 low-income patients across the state.
We invite you to join in a weeklong celebration, August 6-12, focusing the public spotlight on a community-based model of health care that is opening the doors of health and giving millions of Americans in need the chance for healthy and productive lives. To learn more, visit http://www.healthcenterweek.com.
League Staff, August 1, 2006
About Massachusetts Health Centers:
Massachusetts Health Center Patients
Quality, Cost Effective care
Community Health Centers and Health Care ReforM
2006 National Community Health Center Week Events in Massachusetts
August 6, August 7, August 8, August 9, August 10, August 11
Community Health Centers invite you to join them at the following local events:
Jamaica Plain
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, 640 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain
617-983-4100
Community Health Fair - 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center kicked off a two-day health fair beginning Sunday, August 6 outside its facility at 640 Centre Street. Health center staff were on hand to sign people up for state-based health insurance programs for which they are eligible, and to talk about the range of health services the center offers.
Brockton
Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, Corner of Main Street and Legion Parkway
508-559-6699
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Local officials, including Brockton Mayor James Harrington, joined Brockton Neighborhood Health Center in a groundbreaking ceremony of its planned 58,000 sq. ft. facility. The new building doubles the health center’s capacity for serving Brockton residents with its high quality, affordable and community responsive health care.
Susan Joss, Executive Director, addresses the crowd at her new center's groundbreaking on Monday, August 7. James W. Hunt, Jr., President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, told the crowd that the new health center represents "real health reform at the local level."
Susan Joss and Mayor John Harrington Staff of the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center mark National Health Center Week
Click here for press coverage on BNHC's groundbreaking:
http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2006/08/08/news/news/news08.txtFall River
HealthFirst Family Care Center, Inc., 102 County Street
508-679-8111
Free Blood Pressure and Glucose Screenings - Noon – 2:00 pm
As a part of its ongoing 35th anniversary celebration and in honor of National Community Health Center Week, HealthFirst Family Care Center will offer free blood pressure and glucose screenings at 102 County Street.
Fitchburg & Gardner (2 events)
Community Health Connections Family Health Center, 275 Nichols Road, Fitchburg
978-665-5901
Tell a Friend, Change a Life
This weeklong promotion asks patients to tell a friend about the medical, mental health, dental and low-cost pharmacy services available at the Fitchburg and Gardner health centers by passing along bookmarks. During their primary care visits, patients will be presented with bookmarks that advertise information about the health center and include a space for their individual contact information. Patients will be asked to distribute the bookmarks to family, friends and acquaintances in need of health care. When a new patient calls the health center for an appointment, they will be asked if they were referred through the promotion and, if so, to supply the name listed on the bookmark. The referring individual will then be entered into a drawing for a $200 certificate to Hannaford’s grocery store.
Greater Gardner Community Health Center, 175 Connors Street, Gardner
Ice Cream for Health Care!
A Dylan and Pete’s ice cream truck, staffed with employees from Greater Gardner Community Health Center, will bring free ice cream and health information to neighborhoods in Gardner and Winchendon between Noon and 4:00 pm.
Jamaica Plain
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, 640 Centre Street
617-983-4100
Community Health Fair - 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center's two-day health fair continues outside its facility at 640 Centre Street. Health center staff will be on hand to sign people up for state-based health insurance programs for which they are eligible, and to talk about the range of health services the center offers.
Lynn
Lynn Community Health Center, call for more details
781-581-3900
Healthy Kids Need Healthy Teeth
Armed with a giant-toothed puppet and toothbrush, Barney Goes to the Dentist books and light-up toothbrushes, Lynn Community Health Center’s pediatric dentists will visit an area daycare center to promote the importance of good lifelong oral health habits.
New BedforD
Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, Inc., 874 Purchase Street
508-992-6553
Facility Tours - Daily tours of the newly renovated and expanded health center will be ongoing during Health Center Week. Tours will be conducted for patients, community members and local business and philanthropic partners.
Quincy
Manet Community Health Center, 110 West Squantum Street, North Quincy
617-376-3000
Staff Appreciation Day - Manet Community Health Center will take the opportunity to honor its hard-working and mission-driven staff.
ALLSTON AND WALTHAM
Patient Appreciation Day - Outreach staff will be distributing backpacks with emergency preparedness items to the first 40 patients at each site
Health Screening - Via Latina in Waltham from 9:00am to 12:00pm
Lowell
Lowell Community Health Center, 586 Merrimack Street
978-937-9700
Faith-Based Leaders Brunch - 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Representatives of Lowell Community Health Center will join with local faith-based leaders to assess the community’s health status and to discuss its most pressing health concerns.
ALLSTON AND WALTHAM
Staff Appreciation Day - Breakfast treats for staff at both sites
Fitchburg
Community Health Connections Family Health Center, 275 Nichols Road
978-665-5901
Ice Cream for Health Care!
A Dylan and Pete’s ice cream truck, staffed with employees from Community Health Connections, will bring free ice cream and health information to neighborhoods in Fitchburg and Leominster between Noon and 4:00 p.m.
Lawrence
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, 34 Haverhill Street, 3rd Floor
978-686-0090
Governmental Leadership Breakfast - 8:00 – 9:30 am
Local officials will be briefed on Greater Lawrence Family Health Center’s efforts to “lift the barriers to health care” in their community. The breakfast forum will highlight three new health center initiatives for improving the health of Greater Lawrence: a Women’s Imaging Center, an Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Center, and the Latino Asthma Disparities Project.
Worcester
Great Brook Valley Health Center, Inc., 19 Tacoma Street
508-852-1805
Community Open House - 1:00 - 6:00 pm
Join Great Brook Valley Health Center for an open house featuring refreshing lemonade and healthy conversation. Listen to hot summer music by DJ Paul Louzon. Other activities include free blood pressure screenings, special treats demonstrations, speak with an Evercare representative, learn about Neighborhood Health Plan, Worcester's Health Start Initiative and WIC program. Don't forget to join in the Hula Hoop Contest!
WALTHAM
Women's Health Network Mammogram Van in Waltham
Lowell
Lowell Community Health Center, 585 Merrimack Street
978-937-9700
Community Cookout - Noon – 2:00 pm
Lowell Community Health Center will host a free admission cookout in honor of Community Health Center Week. In addition to lunch, the event will include children’s activities and information about health services and health coverage.
New Bedford
Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, Inc., 874 Purchase Street
508-992-6553
Facility Tours - Daily tours of the newly renovated and expanded health center will be ongoing during Health Center Week. Tours will be conducted for patients, community members and local business and philanthropic partners.
Informational Breakfast – 8:30am
An informational breakfast, featuring Senator Mark Montigny as the distinguished guest of honor, will provide an overview of the health center’s dramatic renovation and expansion.
ALLSTON AND WALTHAM
"What is a Community Health Center?" press release will run in local newspapers
Worcester
Family Health Center of Worcester, 26 Queen Street
508-860-7700
Annual Neighborhood Health Fair – 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
In celebration of National Health Center Week, on Friday August 11 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 26 Queen Street in Worcester on the west lawn under the tent. Activities include a free raffle drawing, interactive games for children, cultural music, health education and connections to health care services and many more family-oriented activities. We plan on having blood pressure screenings courtesy of Evercare. Neighboring agencies are invited to attend. Event sponsors include Neighborhood Health Plan and EverCare. The event is free and open to the public.
Massachusetts Community Health Centers: a Local Solution for Implementing Health Care Reform
Listen for radio ads promoting Massachusetts health centers’ quality care all week on stations in Boston, Brockton, Cape Cod, Fall River, Fitchburg, Gardner, Great Barrington, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, Quincy, Worcester, Springfield and Turners Falls.
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