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Community Health of South Florida Inc. (CHI) remains at the forefront of the pandemic. As the first organization to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, CHI is proud to also offer COVID-19 vaccination services.
The non-profit healthcare company has vaccinated more than 6,300 people in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. What is unique about CHI’s approach is two-fold. First, CHI has been reaching out to underserved patients and community members with no health insurance and few resources. Secondly, the federally qualified health center has utilized its outreach team and mobile medical van to go into public housing complexes, community parks, and even homeless encampments to vaccinate those who need it.
“We have always believed that healthcare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income, race or class,” said Col. Brodes H. Hartley, CHI’s CEO. “Our vaccination efforts have worked to ensure the most vulnerable populations are reached along with everyone else. It’s what we do. We have been putting patient care first for 50 years.”
Minorities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and CHI has pushed to ensure those populations do not get left behind. Among those vaccinated by CHI, 46 percent were Hispanic, and 25 percent were Black.
CHI continues to offer the COVID-19 vaccine for free to anyone. To make a vaccination appointment go to www.chisouthfl.org or call 786-272-2100.
CHI celebrates its 50-year anniversary in 2021 with a legacy of excellence in healthcare. Since 1971, CHI has been a beacon of hope providing access to high-quality healthcare for all regardless of insurance status, income level or background. The non-profit federally qualified health center offers comprehensive healthcare services including primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, dental, urgent care, behavioral health, vision, radiology, pharmacy, transportation and more. CHI has 11 health centers and 35 school-based sites.
CHI is a recipient of the Florida Governor’s Sterling Award. It is accredited by the Joint Commission and is also designated as a patient centered medical home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. CHI is also designated as a behavioral health medical home. In addition, CHI is home to the Brodes H. Hartley Jr., Teaching Health Center, training the next generation of doctors in family medicine and psychiatry.
CHI currently is building the first Children’s Crisis Center in southern Miami-Dade County. It will service kids with severe behavioral health problems from Monroe and Miami-Dade counties.
