Join Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center August 10th 8:30am for Mini-Health Fair and Open House

[Paola M. Ferrer, Esq.]

Contact:
Paola M. Ferrer
pfe...@jmschc.org
617-208-1518

Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center Celebrates National Health
Center Week 2011

Event Part of National Campaign Focusing on Health Centers as Local
Solutions for Communities


Boston- Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center (JMSCHC) is marking
National Health Center Week 2011 (NHCW) with a Mini-Health Fair and
Open House on Wednesday, August 10th from 8:30 until 10:30am as part
of a weeklong campaign (August 7-13) to raise awareness about the
mission and accomplishments of America’s Health Centers. The theme of
this year’s NHCW is “Celebrating America’s Health Centers: Serving
Locally, Leading Nationally,” to underscore how health centers deliver
a unique approach that targets health needs and saves taxpayer
dollars.

One of the bright spots in America’s health care system, community
health centers provide a health care home to over 23 million people at
8,000 sites nationwide. In the communities of Allston. Brighton,
Waltham and surrounding areas, JMSCHC is the medical home for more
than 11,700 patients who receive compassionate and patient-centered
care through 61,000 visits each year. Since 1974, JMSCHC has
encouraged and supported patients in their efforts to take charge of
their own health, advocated for patients to gain access to appropriate
specialty and hospital services, and collaborated with other
organizations to link patients to a broad array of community
services. With more community-based health care organizations, we can
reduce health care costs, unnecessary hospitalizations and visits to
hospital emergency rooms by better coordinating care.

“We make sure families stay healthy by providing them a place to go
to for regular care,” said Elizabeth Browne, Executive Director at the
Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center. “We provide a range of
services onsite – primary care services, pharmacy, dentistry, vision,
and mental health services. Our patients get the care they need under
one roof, in the language they need, and are treated with dignity and
respect.”

We thank BMC HealthNet Plan, Neighborhood Health Plan, NACHC,
Covidien, and Whole Foods Brighton for their generous sponsorship of
this celebration. Other partners and exhibitors include Allston-
Brighton Bikes, WIC, Network Health and Caregiver Home. Come visit
our location at 287 Western Avenue, Allston on August 10th to learn
more about our partners, enjoy some giveaways and take part in our
Open House where you will have the chance to meet with our
legislators. U.S. Congressman Mike Capuano, State Senators Steven
Tolman and Sal DiDomenico, State Representatives Kevin Honan and Mike
Moran, and City Councilor Mark Ciommo are among the invitees.

JMSCHC is committed to providing the highest-quality, comprehensive,
culturally sensitive, and affordable primary healthcare to residents
of Allston/Brighton, Waltham and surrounding communities, regardless
of circumstance. Appointments at any of JMSCHC’s five sites in
Allston and Waltham, including the Vision Center, can be made by
calling 617-783-0500. For more information about the health center,
visit our website at www.jmschc.org.

In Massachusetts, 52 community health centers provide high quality
comprehensive health care to nearly 800,000 state residents. For more
information, visit www.massleague.org.

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