I must acknowledge our staff for their unwavering commitment to advancing Outreach Community Health Centers’ mission to serve marginalized people in our community.
The genius of Albert Einstein, recipient of the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics, is expressed in this statement “In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity.” This sage wisdom clearly describes the situation at OCHC from the previous year to now.
The genius of Albert Einstein, recipient of the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics, is expressed in this statement “In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity.” This sage wisdom clearly describes the situation at OCHC from the previous year to now.
It felt as if 2020 began in March, not January, when health care systems across the country were confronted with unprecedented challenges. No one was prepared. Nonetheless, we have adapted to transform this dilemma into a manageable situation. And, in the process, deepened my respect for the executive team, clinicians, and other staff who were unwavering in demonstrating a united commitment to the demands presented by this global pandemic.
During the first week, our leadership team became a crisis response team. Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health authorities’ recommendations, we outlined plans for essential changes to serve patients who could not visit the office for appointments. We also created a safe, COVID-free environment for those patients who required face-to-face visits. Our two homeless outreach teams persisted in locating those who needed help — many were placed in area hotels and motels. As a benefit of receiving pandemic resources, the number of Rapid Re-Housing units for homeless families and individuals increased from 45 to 99. By the second week, we had achieved limited tele-service capability and begin to concentrate on the behavioral health division. OCHC was the first area clinic to step into that telehealth space. COVID-19 heaped tragedy (s) upon many of us. But it also summoned the best of our character, namely kindness, compassion, and a deepened commitment to this mission we share. Additionally, a partnership with Ascension Health supports OCHC’s capacity to satisfy our goals of providing dental services and extending podiatry care at our clinic. Benefits available in our behavioral health division are also expanding with a crisis walk-in clinic opening. Board leadership is creating plans for a new building that will be located next to our Capitol Drive location. My point is, during the most dire health crisis in a century, OCHC hasn’t just endured; we actually grew. And confirmed our faith that by relying on our board of directors’ vision, the guidance of our leadership team, determination of our staff, and the community’s support – all things are possible. |
Leadership Team Anthony J. Linn, M.d. Angela C. Sanders, Psy.d Leigh Ann Zimmer Julia Harris Robinson Penelope Steward Annie Carrell, Apnp, Msn, Pmhnp-Bc Stacy Pendzich Rodney Ivey Janet Malmon Tom Pire, Pharm Primary Care Christopher J. Wither, D.O. Benjamin Klatt, APNP Deborah Boateng, DNP, FNP-BC, APNP Sue Chen, APNP Mary DeWaters, D.O. Michael F. Potnek Hillary Evans, MD, FACOG Eunice Asiedu, CLC, CNM Rene’ Settle-Robinson, DPM Behavioral Health Crystal Simpson, B.A., MA, LPC Eleazar San Agustin, M.D. Kathryn D. Kinter, MS, LPC Courtney Stack, MS, LPC Staff Mika Mendez-Smigh Gref Schoeneck LPC/SAC Amanda M. Olivas, APNP, MSN, PMHNP- BC Stacy O’Dell, APNP, PMHNP, BC Judy Conti, PMHNP Rebecca Swenson, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, APNP Zach Burns, MS, LPS, SAC Michelle E. McKenna, LCSW,CSAC Joanne Bloomstein, M.D. Herzl R. Spiro, M.D., Ph.D. Tekeya Bradshaw, LPC Briona Durrett, MS, LPC, SAC-IT Melissa St. Antoine, MS, LPC,NCC |
LIFE’S MOST PERSISTENT QUESTION IS: WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS? - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr