2019 CCHF Conference
Interwoven This year’s theme for the annual CCHF Conference, held in Cincinnati on March 28-30, was “Interwoven” – how do we embody the living message of God’s healing in our everyday work as clinicians caring for the afflicted? At the last minute, due to the unexpected loss of a key staff member, our team from HBHS had to stay back to care for patients, but Dr. Morehouse was able to participate and lead two workshops. All 725 from around the country who were able to attend were deeply encouraged. The attached PDF is an incomplete overview of the conference with links to some of the speakers. Source...
Read MoreHBHS Recognized
Health center achieves patient-centered milestone By Robin L. Flanigan – January 28, 2019 Three years ago, before the community health center His Branches partnered with Common Ground Health, this was a typical scenario: Moments into a patient’s visit, Medical Director Dr. Matthew Mack would realize he didn’t have the MRI results he needed. He’d then dart to the front of the office to find out where they were. A secretary would search for, and ultimately find, them—just in time for the patient’s visit to end. “There was zero foresight and the stress level was much higher,” he recalls. The center’s two locations, in the 19th Ward and Beechwood neighborhoods, experienced similar challenges. From left, Jenai Lawton, medical assistant, Regina Gonzalez, patient advocate, Dorcas N. Green, registered nurse, Sue Swift, quality improvement advisor with Common Ground Health, and Dr. Matthew Mack, M.D., meet in a huddle at His Branches medical center on Jan. 17, 2019. “It was planned chaos all day long and across the board,” says Sue Swift, who serves as a quality improvement advisor on Common Ground’s practice transformation team. She worked with staff at both locations on providing comprehensive care before, during and after patient visits. “It sounds simple,” Swift adds, “but it’s transformative for practices and for patients.” His Branches’ relationship with Swift as a consultant introduced critical strategies and skills to the safety net practice. As a result, the center reduced wait times, stretched follow-up visits from 15 to 20 minutes, improved patient outcomes, and implemented a host of other care enhancements. Those quality improvements recently helped His Branches earn renewal as a New York Patient-Centered Medical Home, recognition that the practice is using a holistic, patient-centered approach and is committed to continuous improvement. Research shows that practices using the medical home model benefit from lower health care costs, improved patient experience and better health outcomes. “Sue was firm and gentle, the perfect combination for a leader,” says Dr. Mack. “We’re a grassroots kind of place and there were times we felt overwhelmed and discombobulated with so many details, but she helped us stay grounded.” Using metrics to track its entire patient population, rather than only focusing on those who show up for appointments, the center has a much broader perspective and greater ability to close gaps in care. It can, for example, see which patients have not shown up for immunizations or lead screenings, or how many with hypertension and diabetes are overdue for a follow-up visit. Staff can then reach out to these individuals, helping to catch medical issues when they are easier and cheaper to treat. Jenai Lawton, medical assistant and Regina Gonzalez, patient advocate, talk about care they will provide during the day during a meeting at His Branches Medical Center. Common Ground Health assisted His Branches with putting in place team-based care. Perhaps the biggest impact has come from establishing care teams, each one comprised of a provider, a nurse, and a patient advocate. The teams meet 30 minutes before the first patient appointment to plan out the day with intention. These huddles ease tension for staff and for patients—the majority of whom are uninsured, qualify for Medicaid, or are otherwise vulnerable—especially when emergencies arise. The care teams also meet every two weeks to improve the way they work together. Staff members take turns leading the meetings to build leadership skills and rapport. “Communicating up front makes sense,” says Jennifer Wolford, RN, nurse manager. “We’re just more organized and have a better understanding of a patient’s needs before they come in the door.” Patients have picked up on the care...
Read MoreSatcher Awards 4/25
Keynote by David Satcher The ninth annual Dr. David Satcher Community Health Improvement Awards and Special Grand Rounds features a keynote lecture by David Satcher ’72M (Res), the 16th Surgeon General of the United States. The event runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, at URMC in the Helen Wood Hall Auditorium (1W304), School of Nursing. Register online. Free parking is available in the Saunders Research Building parking lot. Direct questions to Gail Hamilton at 224-3050 or by email. ASL interpreters will be available, and the event can be viewed live online. Source...
Read MoreHappy New Year 2016!
We welcome you to join us in making 2016 an even better year for all of us in our personal health and in our relationships with our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, as well as in learning how to live meaningful lives of service to those around us! His Branches Health Services is looking forward to continued growth, and we’re counting on your support and prayer along the way as we: work more closely together as teams to meet your needs. grow our Patient Centered Medical Home and make it even more “home-like.” learn more about the advanced capabilities of our new Medent EMR system. expand our national certifications beyond Meaningful Use and PCMH to FQHC status. recruit another physician to join our staff who likes to deliver babies. understand more about applying living faith in all that we do. God bless you all! Source...
Read MoreCCHF Conference
Dr. Mack and I just returned from a very encouraging national conference sponsored by the Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) in Atlanta, Georgia, where we gathered with over 300 health professionals and students who are dedicated to “living out the Gospel through healthcare among the poor.” We heard inspiring plenary speakers, came together for fellowship in large and small groups, attended educational workshops, spent time in prayer, and returned with a renewed enthusiasm and sense of calling for the work we are doing in Rochester. We’re energized to bring a larger group, including both staff and students, to next year’s conference in Oklahoma City! If you would be interested, just give us a call. Source...
Read MoreFocus on Missions
Focus On Missions Are you a health care professional? If so, please consider setting aside the date and signing up now for the MCCF Winter Missions Breakfast coming up on Saturday, January 24th, from 9-11 am at the Rochester Academy of Medicine, 1441 East Avenue. We’re looking forward to some inspiring presentations (see list below) so mark your calendars and respond now using the MCCF RSVP page. Drs. Elizabeth & Ethan Helm (Family Medicine & Pediatrics) – Bangladesh Dr. Ellen Dailor (Anesthesiology) – Shisong Hospital, Cameroon Paul Violanti, NP (Jericho Road Global Missions Director) – Sierra Leone Dr. David & Hannah Hough (Internal Medicine) – Nepal Dr. Chris Borghi-Cavallaro (Family Medicine) – Update from Managua Source...
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