We have been humbled and heartened.
Friends,
In recent months, we have been humbled and heartened by COVID-19: humbled by the power of a pandemic to up-end our personal and professional lives. Yet we are heartened by the outpouring of community generosity that has helped our neighbors hit hardest by COVID-19.
We have been devastated to witness shocking incidents of police violence against Black Americans. These incidents, and so many others, demand a broad personal and institutional reckoning, change and action. CHP fully supports the dismantling of oppression, violence and unequal treatment of black people and other people of color, LGBTQ people, women and minorities.
As health care providers, we play a vital role in the diverse lives of thousands of people each day. We have a unique lens for envisioning and building the future of Community Health Programs that reflects our present challenges.
At the onset of COVID-19, we quickly envisioned and built a new and robust system of telemedicine that will continue to play a role in how we care for patients. What began as a rapid adjustment to COVID-19 has become a surprisingly effective “house call” tool for clinicians and their patients, who now receive certain medical care from their home. Meanwhile, any patient who needs or prefers in-office care will receive it at their usual practice location.
From Black Lives Matter, we are reminded again, and even more urgently, of chronic health disparities between people of color and their white counterparts. The reasons for these disparities are complex, but historical discrimination against minorities in health care is one certain factor. Like the other 1,400-plus federally qualified health centers around the country, CHP is committed to meeting each and every patient’s needs regardless of color, creed, immigration or LGBTQ status. But we must nevertheless review, reflect and renew our care for patients of color. We must ask, “What more can we do? What can we do better?”
Recent months have shown us that CHP can adapt successfully to profoundly adverse conditions and keep caring for our patients and our community. They have also shown us the importance of full participation in social and cultural change by healthcare institutions.
Community health centers took shape as a movement in the early 1970s, led by people seeking health care justice for all. It is time to revisit what this means, and to embrace change for the health and wellness of all people and communities. When you support CHP through patient visits, financial support or sharing our good news, you support your community. We thank you.
Lia Spiliotes
Community Health Programs, CEO