News – Family Health Center

Vaccination, masks, and distancing remain keys to fighting COVID-19, Kalamazoo’s medical leaders say

briandhunt — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 17:12:05 +0000

“I’m here. I have what’s necessary to help you,” Denise Crawford says of COVID vaccinations. “I’m making it available to you. And you’re refusing to take it. But you’re still coming to me for help.”

As we wind up the second year in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the president and chief executive officer of the Family Health Center in Kalamazoo offered that response on behalf of the medical professionals in her charge and the many medical providers with whom she works.

Medical professionals took an oath to try to save lives, she says. They trained and prepared for that their entire careers. So when COVID struck they saw it as a challenge and a responsibility to protect their communities.

Big pay raises attract health care applicants to Family Health Center in Kalamazoo

briandhunt — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 15:25:37 +0000

Unlike most of the help wanted signs dotted around town, the “fine print” on Family Health Center’s new billboard promises jobs that start at $21 an hour or more — not that possibly wind up there someday.

The nonprofit health clinic serving citizens of Kalamazoo County has implemented a sweeping change in employee compensation that puts Family Health Center on the leading edge of pay practices in health care.

The move is designed to enhance Family Health Center’s ability to recruit and retain the very best health care workers, says Denise Crawford, President and CEO.

It’s working.

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Family Health Center celebrates 50 years in Kalamazoo with 50 acts of kindness

briandhunt — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 14:40:00 +0000

For 50 years, Family Health Center has been offering healthcare to historically underserved citizens in Kalamazoo.

In celebration of the milestone anniversary, the medical nonprofit announced it will put into action “50 Acts of Kindness” over the remaining three months of 2021. The community is invited to participate where opportunities are available, a news release from the organization states.

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Fifty years will be celebrated with 50 acts of kindness Kalamazoo’s Family Health Center leaders say

briandhunt — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 14:36:00 +0000

Lunch was free Wednesday at the Nonla Burger restaurant at 2103 S. Burdick St. in Kalamazoo. And at Los Brothers Mexican Food at 2015 Portage St. And at Ty’s Joint, the new chicken and waffles eatery at 1301 Portage St.

“Anybody who walked through the door, we just provided their lunch,” says Denise Crawford, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Family Health Center of Kalamazoo.

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Family Health Center Launches 50 Acts of Kindness Campaign

briandhunt — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 14:29:00 +0000

Officials with Kalamazoo’s Family Health Center says they will mark a half-century of service with their “50 Acts of Kindness” campaign through the remainder of 2021.

Family Health Center President and CEO Denise Crawford says “50 Acts of Kindness is designed to surprise, support and appreciate all the people who have shared in making our founding dream come true: healthcare for anyone, regardless of ability to pay.”

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340B ‘Instrumental’ in Family Health Center of Kalamazoo Vaccinating Community

briandhunt — Thu, 27 May 2021 19:10:32 +0000

Family Health Centers of Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan has been busy these past few months running back-to-back COVID-19 vaccine clinics. As of last week, FHC had run 52 clinics in the greater Kalamazoo area, administering 8,112 vaccines to people in the community. The 340B Drug Discount Program allowed FHC to serve more patients and get more shots in the arms of those who would have otherwise been last in line. Community Voices for 340B reached out to Denise Crawford, CEO of FHC and asked her a few questions.

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Boarding a freighter in the Soo Locks to deliver 5 doses of COVID vaccine

briandhunt — Wed, 12 May 2021 15:49:00 +0000

SAULT STE. MARIE—In hard hats and safety vests, the two women shimmy up aluminum boarding ladders onto a converted World War II tanker.

The rumble of the ship’s 8,040-horsepower engine makes conversation near-impossible on this blue sky morning. But public health workers Charity Zimmerman, a nurse, and Jill Schaefer, a clerk, know the drill on these steel giants that travel through the Soo Locks, the iconic commercial squeeze point between lakes Huron and Superior.

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1,000 COVID-19 vaccines available at drive-thru clinic for Kalamazoo County residents

briandhunt — Sun, 09 May 2021 21:26:00 +0000

One thousand COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed during a drive-through clinic May 25.

The Family Health Center’s ‘A Thousand Shots of Love’ will put 1,000 shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of Kalamazoo County residents, a news release said.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 25, county residents can drive-through the clinic at the headquarters for Kalamazoo Regional Education Services Agency, 1819 E. Milham Ave., in Portage. The agency and Bronson Healthcare are partnering with Family Center Health for the clinic.

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Kalamazoo County sees rise in infant mortality despite overall decrease in Michigan

briandhunt — Mon, 03 May 2021 21:22:00 +0000

Michigan achieved a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to keep moms and babies safe: the infant mortality rate in 2019 was the lowest in recorded history.

Health experts said this meant that fewer Michigan infants had died before the age of one in 2019 than ever before.

“It has been one of the things we have been watching carefully because we know that the health of our infants overall relates to the health of our community,” Danielle Raymond, the Director of Women’s Services at Ascension Borgess Hospital, said.

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Family Health Center Reaches Pandemic Milestone: 5,000 COVID-19 Vaccinations and Counting

briandhunt — Mon, 03 May 2021 17:59:00 +0000

Partnership Fuels Effort to Protect Hard-Hit Neighborhoods;

Future Vaccination Clinics Planned

KALAMAZOO, Michigan

A free, large-scale, community-based vaccination effort spearheaded by Family Health Center has surpassed 5,000 vaccinations to combat COVID-19.

The campaign began in January to ensure the first and second doses of vaccines were easily available to people within Kalamazoo’s hardest-hit neighborhoods. That effort continues, with drive-through vaccination clinics continuing twice weekly and rotating through in the neighborhoods of Northside, Edison, Downtown, Westwood, Eastside, Milwood, Parchment and Comstock.

“Reaching this remarkable milestone reflects our long-time commitment to bringing quality health care to historically underserved people in our most vulnerable neighborhoods,” said Denise Crawford, FHC President & CEO.

“We must meet people where they are, whether it’s in ordinary times or during a pandemic,” she added. “COVID-19 makes our mission even more critical. We’re determined to help individuals and ultimately our whole community to be healthy and safe.”

Crawford underscored the value of partnership in bringing vaccines to people in need. FHC worked alongside Bronson Healthcare Group and other key players.

“We will continue to partner with all people to help them achieve their health and well-being,” said Crawford. “We know that our community is only as healthy as our most vulnerable residents. That’s why we continue our outreach and education to folks who have been marginalized.” 2

While vaccinations have started to trend downward recently, Bronson and FHC have started revisiting their approach, looking to adapt the model so that all people are informed and that everyone who wants a vaccine can get one safely.

Bill Manns, Bronson Healthcare President and CEO, said Bronson shares FHC’s commitment to meeting that need. “We are committed to equitable vaccine distribution across southwest Michigan,” he said. “Our partnership with the Family Health Center allows us to work together to reach out into all areas of our community.

“We encourage everyone 16 year of age and older to get the vaccine,” Mann added. “We know it prevents serious illness and hospitalization and saves live. In the past three months, we have cared for nearly 700 inpatients with COVID-19 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, and 99% of them had not been vaccinated. So, please, take care of yourself and get your shot as soon as you can.”

Upcoming vaccine clinics include:

Wednesday, May 5, Northeastern Elementary, 2433 Gertrude St., Kalamazoo;
Tuesday, May 11, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 6767 West O Ave., Texas Township;
Wednesday, May 12, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Arcadia Commons, downtown Kalamazoo.

Appointments are required and can be made by calling the FHC COVID-19 hotline at (269) 488-0804.

Crawford offered up special thanks to all the partners in the community-wide vaccination effort: Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, KPEP, Salvation Army, YWCA, Stones Church, Community Healing Center, Victory Clinic, City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation, Parchment School District, El Concilio, Kalamazoo County Office of Emergency Management, Comstock Public Schools, Ministry with Community, MRC Industries, Family & Children Services, Upjohn Community Care Center, and Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries.

About FHC

Family Health Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Federally Qualified Health Center serving the citizens of Kalamazoo County. FHC provides quality health care to some 30,000 historically underserved patients, ensuring that all people who enter our facilities are treated with dignity, respect and a welcoming spirit. FHC’s goal is to create a “medical home” for families, children & adults who seek answers to their health care needs. Online: www.fhckzoo.com, and also on Facebook.