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As part of BWH's BluePrint celebration, BWH Bulletin features this special section to explore the past, present and future of the institution. Learn more at BWHPikeNotes.org/BluePrint. Questions? Email BWHBluePrint@partners.org.
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center (SJPHC) staff and family members, patients, community activists, advisory board members and guests filled the bright green and yellow gymnasium at Jamaica Plain's Mary E. Curley School last week to mark a very special occasion: the health center's 40th anniversary.
"The event was a time to celebrate our history, our staff, our patients and our community partners," said Executive Director Tom Kieffer. Representatives from about 25 local organizations that partner with SJPHC attended the event.
Colorful flower arrangements decorated each table, and attendees enjoyed a feast of multicultural foods during the evening's keynote speeches. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh even proclaimed March 12, 2014, "Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center Day," providing a written proclamation to the center.
SJPHC has grown tremendously in its four decades. Originally a one-room well-baby clinic in the Curtis Hall community building, the state-of-the-art health center located at 640 Centre St. now sees 12,000 adult and pediatric patients per year, providing comprehensive and compassionate care for all who walk through its glass doors. Staff-90 percent of whom are bilingual-view health through a health equity and racial justice lens, understanding that the circumstances in which people are born, live and work strongly impact their health.
In 2012, with a looming national shortage of primary care physicians, SJPHC became one of three BWH primary care practices to accelerate its transition to a team-based model, known as a patient-centered medical home, through participation in the Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care's "Academic Innovations Collaborative." The model emphasizes disease prevention, coordinating care for patients with chronic disease and multiple conditions, and engaging patients in improving their own health. SJPHC's clinicians and staff utilize population health management and community health resources, and work with patients to set and achieve their health goals.
SJPHC also offers a breadth of youth and community programming, as well as a rich training ground for residents, and medical and public health school students.
At the event, Kieffer shared his reflections on the center's growth, as did Community Programs Director Abigail Ortiz, MPH, MSW; Vice President of BWH's Center for Community Health and Health Equity Wanda McClain, MPA; Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd; and others. Harvard College sophomore Merilin Castillo shared her experiences as a former participant of the center's Racial Reconciliation and Healing program, and a surprised Mazie Anckle, BSN, RN, an SJPHC staff nurse, received the Michael Lambert Award for her lasting contributions to the health center. Michael Lambert, MD, was medical director at SJPHC for 27 years and recently stepped down from the role to resume practicing full-time at the health center.
"It was great that so many people were able to attend the event," said Ortiz. "Many supporters and old friends shared the occasion with us, and many people worked hard to make it a success."
Added Kieffer: "We have much more great medical care to provide-care that is more patient-centered and integrated than ever before. We will continue to grow as a public health force and a voice for social justice, and continue to find creative ways to promote health."
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