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HELP/PSI TO EXPAND PRIMARY CARE AND SPECIAL SERVICES FOR AT-RISK PATIENTS IN SOUTH BRONX
PCDC financing will help build new health center and expand services
Press Contacts:
Jose Quizhpi, HELP/PSI Services Corp., 718-681-8700 x 2131; jquizhpi@projectsamaritan.org
Michelle Shaljian, PCDC, 212-437-3933 mshaljian@pcdc.org
August 11, 2011 (BRONX, NY) HELP/PSI is expanding primary, preventive and behavioral health services for hundreds of at-risk South Bronx residents through the development of the new CitiWide Harm Reduction Health and Wellness Center.
With a loan from the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC), and in partnership with CitiWide Harm Reduction, Help/PSI will develop the 1,750 square foot clinic on the third floor of CitiWide's 226 East 144th Street location in the South Bronx and help establish a medical home for the drop-in center's at-risk patients, including homeless, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and behavioral health patients.
"It is incredibly challenging for our patients—many of whom are homeless or dealing with substance abuse or behavioral health issues—to have access to primary and preventive care from traditional providers. Along with Robert Cordero, CitiWide Executive Director and a great team of professionals, we will be able to fill a void for this underserved population" said Paul Vitale, President & CEO, of HELP/PSI. "We are delighted to work with PCDC that will develop a new health center to connect our at-risk patients to primary care, which is essential to reducing harm and maintaining health for our patients," added Carol Murphy, COO of HELP/PSI.
Upon completion in January 2012, the health center will include two treatment rooms, a reception and intake area, and a medical office. The renovation will enable new services, such as psychiatric care, substance use counseling, HIV care and testing, and preventive dental care, accessible for clients at 1545 Inwood Ave in the Bronx, as well as intensive patient outreach and referral coordination for these services.
"It is with the most complex and at-risk populations that good, effective primary care can have the most impact. This project demonstrates an effective response to the community's needs," said Ronda Kotelchuck, PCDC's Executive Director. "HELP/PSI and CitiWide's partnership captures the changing direction of our healthcare system—one that truly integrates traditional primary care with services like behavioral health and substance abuse counseling to establish a true patient-centered medical home."
PCDC, a nonprofit lender that finances primary care in underserved communities, provided the $357,000 loan through its Target Loan Fund, which can provide up to $500,000 to replace old equipment, purchase health IT or billing systems, or add exam rooms to increase patient visits. The Target Loan Fund was launched in 2003 with funding from the Mizuho Corporate Bank (USA).
About HELP/PSI Services Corp. (www.projectsamaritan.org):
HELP/PSI's Diagnostic and Treatment Centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, offer a full practice of general and specialized primary medical treatment and prevention services to people with limited access to healthcare; such as
low income and uninsured populations, those with limited English proficiency and individuals and families experiencing homelessness. HELP/PSI provides specialized care, available to all people living with HIV/AIDS.
HELP/PSI's Primary Care at CitiWide offers a new concept of providing comprehensive, acute and chronic medical care co-located in a harm reduction center. Enabling patients to establish a provider-patient relationship and true continuity of care. In short, it will provide comprehensive medical care from acute medical issues, to expert care for chronic illness, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, and HIV/AIDS. HELP/PSI's medical team assures patients understand their medical services, answer all questions for the patient and other care providers, and assist in finding the necessary resources needed for healthier outcomes. Primary Care serves adult populations and accepts Medicaid, Medicare, ADAP, Amidacare, Select Health, and many other insurance providers. HELP/PSI also offers a sliding scale.
About CitiWide Harm Reduction (www.citiwidehr.org):
Founded in 1995, CitiWide Harm Reduction is a 7-day a week community-based syringe exchange drop-in center, located in the heart of the South Bronx. CitiWide's mission is to improve the health, social and economic status of active drug users who are homeless or unstably housed. Annually, CitiWide serves 3,000 program participants. Through years of outreach and relationship building, CitiWide has earned unique access to the hardest to reach and serve populations: very low income, chronically homeless and unstably housed active drug users living with or at high risk for HIV, hepatitis, and other conditions. In 2009, CitiWide launched an innovative strategic partnership with HELP/PSI, a high quality healthcare and HIV services provider, through which we have connected over a thousand homeless and unstably housed active drug users to primary health care. With HELP/PSI, in fall 2011 HELP/PSI will open the groundbreaking CitiWide Harm Reduction Health and Wellness Center on the 2nd floor of our drop-in center, offering comprehensive primary, psychiatric and HIV/HCV specialty care and providing a medical home to many more homeless persons not currently in care.
About the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) (www.pcdc.org):
As the largest Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in the country specializing in primary care financing for low-income communities, PCDC provides the capital to build new facilities, expand practices, and upgrade outmoded equipment, leading to better services for more patients. To date, PCDC's programs have leveraged a total investment of $270 million for 91 primary care capital projects in underserved communities across New York State. This investment has transformed 655,000 sq. feet of space into fully functioning primary care practices while creating 1,300 construction jobs and 2,300 permanent jobs. This additional capacity now accommodates an additional 1.7 million medical visits annually by 575,000 undeserved New Yorkers.
About Mizuho Corporate Bank (USA): Mizuho Corporate Bank (USA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. of Japan, is a wholesale commercial banking institution based in New York City. Mizuho Corporate Bank (USA) offers its clients a broad range of corporate financial products and services, including leasing and financial advisory services. Its parent company, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., is a member of the Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group, one of the world's largest financial groups.
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