Reflections on Success: Health Center Voices

New York

Morris Heights Health Center
Bronx

Morris Heights Health Center (MHHC) serves more than 48,000 patients annually and provides a wide range of primary, specialty, dental, mental health, educational, and social services at five locations throughout Bronx, New York. In addition, the health center maintains school-based health facilities in four New York City Public Schools, providing health care for the students.

Gail Jackson-Kelly is a resident of the Mott Haven area and lives in the Mill Brook Housing Complex. Prior to becoming a patient of MHHC at St. Ann, she had to travel several miles to find a doctor for her chronic conditions. When she discovered St. Ann, she felt relieved that she found a great, clean, respectable health center in her own backyard. She is so happy with her coordinated care that she applied for and was accepted into the Patient Advisory Council (PAC). She dutifully attends meetings (except when she had foot surgery) and has referred family members to the center. Gail believes that having a good center so close to home has helped her in dealing with her poor health. She no longer has to take several buses and the train to get good care–health care is now just a few steps from home. The added bonus is participating on PAC where she feels she has a voice in what services are offered.

MHHC strives to meet the health care needs of its community. MHHC at St. Ann is situated in one of the poorest districts in the Bronx. MHHC provides primary care for adults and children, HIV, dental, case management, and facilitator enrollment services. At a health screening fair as part of the center’s health promotion and outreach efforts, a 52-year-old Hispanic male asked to have his blood pressure and diabetes screenings done. The patient and his family benefited from the screenings that were offered at the fair. Staff conducted a glucose screening for the 52-year-old; the results yielded a reading of over 500. The doctor saw him immediately and was able to stabilize his blood sugar level. Free lunch was provided and the doctor showed him what he should eat, especially the portion size. The patient was not working, had no insurance, and thought he could not afford care. Using the sliding scale fee payment system for self pay patients, the man was able access care. He purchased a glucose meter and the doctor showed him how to use it daily to monitor his blood sugar levels. He and his family are extremely grateful for the medical care they received. MHHC center is now their medical home.