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On this Golden Anniversary, I continue to admire the rich history and bright future of this beloved organization, Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI).
It has grown into much more than a health center for our communities. Today we can proudly tell you we are a medical home, a resource for those whose needs go beyond medicine. Our teams have always worked beyond the walls of our centers to help patients find housing, food, specialized care and so much more. We have always known that the only way to approach healthcare is at a comprehensive community level with considerations for the social determinants of health. Those are the needs outside of healthcare that have to be addressed so that patients can focus on their health.
We have been advocating for our communities for 50 years. It started with our founder, Doris Ison, who lobbied local leaders to find the resources to create CHI. Ison then went to Washington and lobbied Congress to ensure that there was adequate access to transportation. She knew without transportation people could not reach the healthcare resources we were creating. Today we have integrated this into our care. Our drivers pick up patients at home, take them to their appointments and then return them to their home.
We even deliver their medications to their home. Today we offer a comprehensive list of services so that patients can access high quality care, conveniently, in one location, at one time. We have primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, OB/GYN, dental, urgent care, radiology, vision, pharmacy and telehealth. Our teams are constantly studying our services and programs to see what more we can do for you.
We now also have a very strong teaching health center. This allows us to grow and train our own doctors to provide you with the compassionate, quality care that you deserve. Since its inception in 2014 we have graduated 25 physicians and have retained many. We continue bring in new residents and train them in primary care and psychiatry.
Throughout our history there have been many trying periods of time for this organization and for our communities. It was in those times that CHI stepped up and went above and beyond to ensure access to care. One of those times was Hurricane Andrew when South Florida was ravaged by Category 5 winds. Hospitals and doctors offices were closed. But CHI was the first South Dade medical facility to open its doors after the disaster. Once again, CHI stepped up to help this past year as the pandemic began. We were the first to offer drive through COVID-19 testing in Miami Dade and Monroe Counties. Later we added telehealth services and kept our health centers open to give access to care. Soon our teams began vaccinating some of the most vulnerable populations, senior, the homeless, migrants, and minorities. Despite the challenges, our team has always strategized and worked overtime to take care of you.
It’s a history of dedication, an unrelenting commitment to care that continues today and into the future.
Yours Truly,
Brodes H. Hartley, Jr.
