Former Senator Tom Daschle, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Aldon Hynes

This week hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with former Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle, now co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center. Senator Daschle discusses the Center’s recent report, “Transforming Healthcare: The Role of Health IT”. He outlines the steps that need to be taken to speed up the transition to universal use of electronic health records and digitized health information as a fundamental preface to real health care reform.

Former Senator Tom Daschle, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center [ 24:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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Dr. John Moore, Director, MIT Media Lab Health and Wellness Innovation 2012

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Aldon Hynes

This week on Conversations on Health Care, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Dr. John  Moore,  innovator of health care technology at the MIT Media Lab.  Dr. Moore discusses his award-winning patient/care provider interface known as “CollaboRythm” as well as his “Health and Wellness Innovation 2012” competition in which teams of researchers, physicians and designers gathered at MIT  for two weeks to invent new tech solutions to common health care problems.

Dr. John Moore, Director, MIT Media Lab Health and Wellness Innovation 2012 [ 24:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1)
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School Based Health Centers

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Aldon Hynes

As part of National SBHC Awareness Month, Nat Holmes has provided a brief history and background on CHC’s School Based Health Centers.

Community Health Center’s first School Based Health Center, the Rita Hayes Wellness Center, was started in nearly two decades ago in April, 1993 at the Macdonough Elementary School in Middletown, CT.   CHC went on to open the Woodrow Wilson School Based Health Center in 1995 at Wilson Middle School and at Keigwin Middle School in 2000.

Over the last 12 years CHC’s School Based Health Center programs have expanded their services to many new communities statewide.  We now have 40 School Based Health Center’s across the state in cities such as:  New Britain, Meriden, New London, Stamford, Enfield, and East Windsor.  Our expansion continues to grow at a fast pace as more communities approach us about opening new School Based Health Centers.  When you include mobile dental and other locations, CHC is in over 200 different sites.

School Based Health Centers are a great investment for the communities they serve.  They support students, schools, parents and the greater community.   School Based Health Centers’ keep students in school, parents at work, and reduce the number of doctor/hospital visits due to access to Medical, Mental Health, and Dental services in the schools.

The medical services available at School Based Health Centers include routine checkups and physical exams, treatment of acute injuries and illness, nutrition counseling, health education, immunizations, referral and follow-up for specialty care, prescriptions and dispensing of medications.   The dental services include routine cleaning, fluoride treatment, x-rays, sealants and referrals for other treatment if necessary.  School Based Health Centers also provide mental health services which include assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of social and emotional problems, individual, family, and group counseling, risk reduction and early intervention services and outreach and advocacy services.

In order for students to use the School Based Health Center services they must have their parents/guardian fill out an enrollment form.  If they are 18 or older they can fill out the form on their own.  It is important to note that we are not here to replace your own doctor but to provide supplemental care while your child is in school.

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Vinnie’ Jump and Jive

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Aldon Hynes

Saturday, January 28th – Music and lights spill out onto the street, and the chalk sign invites everyone in. “Swing tonight!” it says. And so it begins.

Vinnie’s Jump and Jive, a thriving hub for Connecticut swing, is back in action. Our kick-off event last month was packed with dancers, young and old, beginners and experienced, lindy-hoppers and East-Coasters, from Southington, New Haven, Hartford, Bloomfield – you name it. With music by one of the best DJs around, and teaching by professional instructors, “Bringin’ back the swing!” was a rocking success.

The social atmosphere was bright and warm. Old-timers expressed their joy at returning to Vinnie’s “Vinnie’s has meant a lot to me over the years” and new-timers were thrilled to join the scene “I feel so welcomed, all these friendly people have been asking me to dance!”

The Vinnie’s staff is thankful to all the dancers and organizers who spread the word about the event – thank you Bruce, Connecticut Swing Dance Society, Hartford Underground, Yale Swing and Blues, and Weswing and blues!

Vinnie’s may be best-known throughout CT as a swing-dance venue, but the studio is so much more than that. What’s less common knowledge is that Vinnie’s is actually operated by the Community Health Center as an important part of the CHC’s work on wellness. In addition to swing, Vinnie’s provides yoga and a variety of dance classes in the heart of Middletown  – creating opportunities to get healthy through dance and movement every day of the week.

Stop by our weekly classes anytime to meet our fabulous instructors and try something new.  And believe it or not, it’s already time for another dance – Midwinter Swing and Blues is this Friday, the 17th. Come see it for yourself!  Also, with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, Vinnie’s is offering gift certificates to all its classes – give the gift of dance! for more information visit www.vinniesjumpandjive.com, or call 860 347 6971 ex 3777

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New Horizon’s Domestic Violence Services Program Receives Grant from Middlesex County Community Foundation

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Aldon Hynes

Community Health Center, Inc.’s New Horizon’s Domestic Violence Services program has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Middlesex County Community Foundation Board of Directors. The grant is made possible by the generosity of the Ann T. D’Addario Family Foundation Fund.

The grant funding will be used to support New Horizon’s Child Advocate Serivces program. This program, which has been in effect since the inception of New Horizons in 1979, is an essential resource for children and teens whose lives are impacted by domestic violence. The advocate works with children and teens to educate them about domestic violence and how not to become a victim or a perpetrator.

“The ultimate goal of the child advocacy program is to end the cycle of abuse by educating our youth,” explained Michele Waldner, program coordinator at New Horizons.  “We are thankful to the Community Foundation for providing grant funding for this much needed program.  This support will enhance our efforts in primary prevention and help us in getting one step closer to ending the cycle of domestic violence.”

The advocate is a staff member of the shelter and is available to assist with the varied needs of these young victims, including counseling, school enrollment, help with homework, and transfer of medical records when required.  In addition, the advocate is a resource available to all schools in Middlesex County.

Sarah Chagnon, the child advocate for New Horizon’s, is thrilled about what this grant means for the ongoing support she provides to youth in the area. “I am very excited about the grant funding, as it will allow me the opportunity to continue to work with teens and children in our community regarding safe and healthy relationships,” she explained. “The work we do together greatly improves their self esteem and their interaction with others.”

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Jonathan Linkous, CEO, American Telemedicine Association

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Aldon Hynes

This week on Conversations on Health Care,  hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Jonathan Linkous, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association.  They discuss the rapid growth of tech applications in health care and the “gold rush” of opportunities being generated in telemedicine for both caregivers  and patient engagement.

 

Jonathan Linkous, CEO, American Telemedicine Association [ 24:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (12)
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Don Case, 2012 Oral Health Champion

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Aldon Hynes

Last night, CHC Regional Site Director for Fairfield County, Adele Gordon, on behalf of the Stamford Oral Health Collaborative, presented Dr. Donald Case the 2012 Oral Health Champion Award.  Here are her comments as prepared for the recognition:

Winston Churchill once said “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give,” and Don Case has made a life.  In 2001 the phone rang in Don Case’s office. When he answered, I made a request. Would he join the board of directors for a new nonprofit clinic, The Dental Center of Stamford?

There was no hesitation. He immediately said yes and within a short period of time he accepted the position of chairman. Don was just following his already established commitment to help where he could, especially in oral health care.

He led the Dental Center and when it was time to merge with CHC, Inc. he graciously accepted a position on that board and became the Fairfield County representative.  For years he was attending staff and then division chief of dentistry at both St. Josephs and Stamford Hospital. Often he is called to be part of the team and does reconstruction on accident victims.

Presently, he serves the community on the Board of Senior Services of Stamford and on the Stamford Police Foundation.  We think that is terrific but the reason we are here today is to honor Don Case because of his commitment to giving;  providing  our patients with specialty dental  care that is frequently  inaccessible to them.

He provides care for many of our patients through a referral process and is available to our dentists for consultation. Those patients that come to our clinics can smile today because of Don Case.  As the committee of the Stamford Oral Health Collaborative met to determine who would be the first Stamford Oral Health Champion, Don’s name was the first on everyone’s list.

Recently, Don was listed in Stamford magazine as a Top Dentist.   According to the magazine the company surveyed dentists In Fairfield County who are members of the American Dental Association, asking each one,”If you had a patient in need of a dentist, to which dentist would you refer them?”  Don came out on top.

Don, as Churchill said, you are making a life by what you give, so on behalf of the Stamford Oral Health collaborative and the people we serve, thank you.   I am so pleased to present you with a token of appreciation; you are the Stamford Oral Health Champion, 2012.

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Give Kids a Smile Day 2012

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Hope Brigham

On Friday, February 3rd and Saturday February 4th, the Community Health Center Inc. held its Give Kids a Smile Day Event at our CHC dental sites. We are still tallying up the number of treatments and total number of kids seen, but as of now, over 150 kids were seen on Friday and Saturday and the total number is still growing!

Waiting rooms were decorated with balloons and kids received goodie bags full of fun dental supplies.  Some of the highlights included New London’s patients getting a special visit by Minnie Mouse (http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_london_cty/free-teeth-cleaning-offered-to-kids) and the kindergarteners at Macdonough Elementary School in Middletown participating in a Dental Education, Recess Rocks extravaganza with the CHC tooth mascot who Rocked Recess with the students. (http://macdonoughschool.blogspot.com/2012/02/smile-day.html)

Most importantly, vital services were provided to kids with limited access to oral health care. Thank you to all the participating dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and support staff at CHC and our community partners who worked so hard to assure that these kids maintain a healthy smile. We would like to especially acknowledge two of CHC’s staff members who every year are able to organize incredibly successful events at their sites: Lynda Torres from Meriden and MaryBeth Cieri from Old Saybrook. Lynda Torres has been working hard on CHC’s Give Kids a Smile Day Program for the past five years. Meriden’s Saturday event and Old Saybrook’s Friday event was an enormous success thanks to Lynda’s and Marybeth’s hard work and dedication to build healthier communities in Meriden and Old Saybrook. Both Lynda and Marybeth go above and beyond their job descriptions to assure that the uninsured and underinsured kids from these communities receive the dental services they need. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to give kids a smile

 CHC’s GKAS programs are not over! On February 25th , Norwalk will hold its event for kids in Fairfield County- so stay tuned for the grand total number of kids we were able to see in all of our sites. We hope to finish counting by then!

 The programs on Friday and on Saturday would not have been possible without the collaboration of community dentists who so generously had donated their time to provide dentals services to kids. Dr Thal of New Britain, Dr Fletcher of New Britain, Dr Truscinksi of New Britain, Dr Edelson of Plainville, Dr Tosatti of Kensington, Dr. Dave and Dr. Sara from Hergott Dental Associates, Advanced Dentistry from Cheshire, Dr. Alice Yang from Wallingford, and Dr Himabindu Illindala and all of these offices participating dental office staff. We thank you for your hard work and dedication toward our communities.

GKAS Day in Meriden!

 Written by AmeriCorps Members: Asya Tsarkova & Hope Brigham

 

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National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Aldon Hynes

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate African Americans who have fought hard for freedom and equality.  It is a time to remember their successes and their struggles.  While much progress has been made, there are still important hurdles to be overcome.

One such area is in health disparities.  According to the Center for Disease Control

Among all racial/ethnic groups, African Americans bear the greatest burden of HIV in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV infection during their lifetimes. In 2009, blacks made up 14% of the US population but accounted for nearly half (44%) of all new HIV infections.

To address this, today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.  It is a day to remind everyone, especially African Americans, about the importance of getting tested and spreading the word about HIV.  This is especially important to us and CHC, where 43% of the patients in our HIV program are African American.

We work closely with others to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and Kasey Harding, our Director of HIV Services has pointed out a particularly good website, WE>AIDS.

Please, get informed, get yourself tested, and work with us and others to stop the spread of HIV

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A Salute to CHC Staff

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Aldon Hynes

This morning, CHC President and CEO Mark Masselli addressed staff at a meeting kicking off the budgeting process for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.  Among other key points of this speech, he spoke about  the dedicated staff at CHC.  Here is an excerpt of some of those comments:

How fortunate Community Health Center is to find itself in its 40th year of operation with a staff that comes to work each day with an optimism in the work we do and a understanding of the profound difference it makes in the lives of the people we care for.  How thankful CHC is to have a staff who works to make the community we serve healthier.  How grateful we are that we work with fellow colleagues who support each other not only at work, but take pride in our families and care for our general well-being. We have lots to be proud of about the work of our Health Center but we are most appreciative of a staff that works well together. Margaret and I want to thank each and every one of you… Continue reading →

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