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Mission of Caring
The mission of the Family Health Center
of Worcester, Inc. (FHCW) is to improve the health
and well-being of underserved and culturally diverse
Worcester area residents through the provision of
high quality, comprehensive, and continuous primary
health care, dental, behavioral health and social
services. We respectfully and compassionately care
for patients in the context of their family, culture
and community.
A
Practice of Excellence
Family Health Center provides
services for both individuals and families through
the “family practice” model of care, which ensures
continuity of care for both adults and children. At
Family Health, the traditional idea of “the family
doctor” has evolved with 21st century medical practice
and responded to the diversity of our American culture.
As a site for the University of Massachusetts Medical
School Family Practice Residency Program since 1974,
we are a nationally-acclaimed teaching facility and
are one of the few medical residency programs in the
country that is based in a community health center.
The
Community We Serve
Family Health Center
is located in a large urban community in Worcester,
Massachusetts. Situated in the inner-city neighborhoods
of Piedmont, Elm Park, and Main South, the area is home
to a diverse population including minority and refugee
populations, college students, low-income families,
established residents, and homeless persons living in
temporary shelters. In addition to providing top-quality
primary care to families of all different shapes and
sizes, we offer services for mental illness, HIV, hepatitis
B and C, tuberculosis, substance abuse, teen pregnancy
and infant mortality prevention, and dental care. School-based
health centers in four area schools and dental services
in southern Worcester County provide further outreach.
Insured, underinsured or uninsured-Family Health Center
welcomes all.
Our
Staff
Beginning with a
small, dedicated staff in 1972, Family Health Center
now employs more than 250 skilled professionals. Committed
to top-quality health care for all, our employees
are an integral part of our success. Doctors, dentists,
pharmacists, medical assistants, interpreters, nurses,
janitors, administrative staff, and social workers
all work together to meet the needs of the community.
Our staff live in our neighborhoods, strengthening
the “community” in community health center. Many employees
have gained skills through entry-level positions at
Family Health Center and persevered to pursue successful
careers in medicine.
History
Family Health, founded in 1970
as part of the Model Cities Program, was incorporated
in 1972 as Family Health and Social Service Center and
dedicated itself to the care of families. In 1974, Family
Health expanded our mission through a commitment to
the newly opened University of Massachusetts Medical
School to offer a Family Practice Model of health care
delivery and become a teaching affiliate in their Family
Practice Residency Program. Over the years, Family Health's
unique model has trained more than 130 committed young
physicians to enter into the practice of family medicine.
In 1990,
nearby Worcester City Hospital (WCH), which provided
a large volume of outpatient services to area residents
(over 20,000 visits in 1990), was insolvent and facing
imminent closure. During 1990 and 1991, Family Health
staff worked closely with other local providers and
city and state officials to plan for the orderly closure
of the hospital and the continuation of essential
community and primary health care services. The long-range
transition plans included a temporarily enhanced Medicaid
rate for Family Health. WCH officially closed in 1991,
at which time Family Health opened a satellite Health
Center on the former WCH site on Queen Street. All
Main Street and WCH services were consolidated at
the fully remodeled Queen Street site in May, 1995
during a $4.8 million renovation of the facility.
Poised
to enter the new millenium, Family Health recieved
its first JCAHO accredidation with commendation in
1999 and opened an on-site pharmacy in 2001. In 2002,
Family Health celebrated its 30th anniversary and
provided 83,325 services to 16,915 patients. Through
2003, the health has remained focused on providing
the best quality health care in Worcester County,
offering on-site services such as pharmacy, laboratory,
interpretation, and x-ray which enhance primary care
services. |
