Page 64 - May 2019 with HCHeroes

GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2019 HEALTH CARE HEROES ®

ORGANIZATIONS/PROGRAMS

Community Health of South FLORIDA PACE CENTERS
Florida, Inc. (CHI) has been a bea-
con of hope for the people of South (PROGRAM OF ALL-INCLUSIVE CARE FOR THE
Florida since 1971. It is a place ELDERLY) AT MIAMI JEWISH HEALTH
where people can receive high qual-
ity healthcare regardless of their For 15 years, Florida PACE Centers
economic background, insurance have improved the lives of more than
status and immigration status. CHI 2,000 low-income seniors ages 55 and
has a holistic approach to health older who are in declining health by pro-
and offers primary care, pediatric, viding an interdisciplinary support sys-
dental, OB/GYN, behavioral health tem of healthcare that allows them to
for children and adults, urgent care, walk-in “Community Health of South safely live in their communities rather
services pharmacy, radiology, vision and even than be placed in nursing homes.
free transportation. Florida’s motto has always The average participants are 77 years
It offers a sliding fee, income-based scale for been ‘Patient Care Comes First’ old and have multiple medical condi-
the uninsured, and offers evening and weekend tions, often a cognitive impairment, and
hours to ensure access for all. Last year, CHI and it lives up to that, making significant long-term care needs. With
cared for more than 82,000 unduplicated sure that there are no barriers multiple locations throughout Miami-
patients via 282,000 patient visits/encounters. Dade and Broward counties, Florida
To try to meet the needs of the growing doctor to healthcare for the indigent, PACE Centers provide a continuum of “Florida PACE Centers exemplify
shortage nationwide, CHI became the first and the homeless, the working poor, care and on-going behavioral health a healthcare hero for successful deliv-
only Health Resources Services Administration- the undocumented and even management. ery of a care model to a population
designated teaching health center in Florida in Seniors are transported five days a
2014, and now has physicians receiving spe- those who don’t understand week to the centers where they partici- of the elderly that otherwise would be
cialty training in family medicine, psychiatry how to navigate what can be a pate in activities and receive individual- left to navigate an unforgiving sys-
and OB/GYN. ized healthcare.
Its comprehensive AIDS Resources and complicated healthcare system The Centers are at the forefront of tem with poor outcomes.”
Education Services (CARES) program provides in this country.” innovative population health manage- Brian J. Kiedrowski, MD, CMD, CPE
HIV testing and counseling and links patients Brodes H. Hartley Jr. ment with interventions that help low- Executive Vice President and Enterprise
with medical, dental and behavioral health President/CEO income elderly residents enjoy a better Chief Medical Officer
services along with case management and med- quality of life despite chronic conditions. Miami Jewish Health
ication management. Its Medication Assistance Community Health of South Florida, Records show that participants experi-
program helps patients who can’t afford their Inc. (CHI) ence fewer falls, minimized hospital and emergency department stays and reduced
medications by getting it at reduced rates, and stays at skilled nursing centers for rehabilitation services. According to the latest Vital
their Migrant Health Program reaches out to Research survey, nearly 97 percent of family members are satisfied with the support
migrants and seasonal farm workers offering high-quality, affordable healthcare. they receive through the PACE program, and 97.5 would recommend PACE to some-
one in a similar situation.

For 45 years, the Roxcy Bolton Rape “Since the 1970s, the Roxcy
Treatment Center (RTC) at Jackson Memorial
Hospital, a nonprofit, hospital-based sexual Bolton Rape Treatment Center
assault crisis center, has been advocating, serv- at Jackson Memorial Hospital
ing and providing emotional support to victims
of sexual assault in Miami-Dade County. has been a safe haven for ado-
It is one of the first rape treatment centers in lescents and adults who have
the nation. Since its inception, RTC has provid-
ed treatment to more than 70,000 sexual assault been the victims of sexual
victims. RTC is the only comprehensive rape assaults. It has made a tremen-
treatment center in Miami-Dade County, and it dous impact in healthcare in
is one of the few centers nationwide to provide
an all-inclusive approach to the care of these South Florida, and has espe-
victims. cially benefited the lives of this
Staffed by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
(SANE-trained), RTC provides confidential, vulnerable population.”
patient-centered care 24/7 to victims and non- Girish “Bobby” Kapur, MD
offending family members free of charge, and Chief of Emergency Medicine
also runs a weekly support group and a 24/7 Jackson Memorial Hospital
Crisis & Sexual Assault Helpline. Victim advo-
cates also provide in-person support to emergency medical/forensic services, law
enforcement interviews, doctors’ appointments and court appointments to ensure the
survivors’ interests are represented and their rights are upheld. In 2018, RTC served
122 patients and provided therapy to 808 survivors, participated in nearly 70 com-
munity outreach events and educational programs, and received nearly 1,000 calls
from people seeking support and/or medical services.

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8 May 2019 - Health Care Heroes southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News