Congressman and Chatham County Commissioner Visit J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center
Savannah, GA — Congressman Buddy Carter and Chatham County Commissioner Jay Jones both recently paid a visit to J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center, Inc. (JCLPHCC), located in downtown Savannah. Both Congressman Carter and Commissioner Jones were given a brief presentation on the history of community health centers. In addition, they were educated on the impact community health centers play in providing quality healthcare to all citizens regardless of their financial situation.
Commissioner Jones stated, “As a patient, I can attest first hand to the valuable work community health centers do.”
Congressman Carter stated, “We believe in community health centers and the work they do.”
JCLPHCC took great pleasure in meeting and talking with our elected officials regarding the impact of community health centers on healthcare. The tour concluded with discussion of current progress of JCLPHCC and looking forward to improving healthcare services to the community.
Eva Elmer Receives “Inspiring Mothers of Georgia 2017” Award by HMHB
Savannah, Georgia – On Sunday, April 30, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (“HMHB”) awarded Savannah mom, Eva Elmer, one of six “Inspiring Mothers of Georgia 2017”.
“We are so privileged to honor Ms. Eva Elmer for her contributions to the Chatham-Savannah community, as well as to her family,” said Elise Blasingame, executive director. “We received nominations from all over the State, and the women we read about blew us away. After a thorough blind-review of all nominees, the stories shared about Ms. Elmer’s work to ensure access to health insurance and care for our most vulnerable children really stood out to the selections committee.”
“It is such an honor to receive this award,” says Elmer. “I am deeply touched to have been nominated and overwhelmed to have been chosen! I feel especially gratified to have our work helping children gain and keep help health coverage be recognized. It is so important to me and truly a labor of love.”
Ms. Elmer works as the Campaign Manager for the Coastal Campaign for Healthy Kids, a program of the non-profit Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council. The Coastal Campaign is a grant-funded initiative that strives to dramatically reduce the number of uninsured children and teens who are eligible for Georgia Public Health Insurance Programs, Medicaid & PeachCare for Kids but are not enrolled. She has been responsible for the strategic development and implementation of the Campaign since August 2014.
The initiative began its work serving Chatham County and with the help of federal funding in June 2016 expanded to five additional counties Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Long and McIntosh. The Coastal Campaign’s own mobile enrollment team and coalition of enrollment assistance partners including Step Up Savannah, St Joseph/Candler’s St. Mary’s Community Center, Curtis V Cooper Primary Health Center and has provided application assistance services for health insurance coverage nearly 3,200 children. Her work also includes connecting families whose children have chronic medical conditions and/or disabilities to service agencies and funding resources.
Elmer is mom to 9-year old, Stephen, a little boy with cerebral palsy and cortical visual impairment. She has become a dedicated advocate for children and adults with disabilities in her community promoting inclusion and access for all.
Ms. Eva Elmer was honored with five other ‘Inspiring Mothers of Georgia’ at the HMHB Inaugural Mother’s Day Luncheon on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at the Emory Conference Center Hotel. They were honored alongside six First Ladies of Georgia, including Mrs. Sandra Deal, Mrs. Mary Perdue, Mrs. Shirley Miller, Mrs. Marie Barnes, Mrs. Rosalynn Carter and Mrs. Mary Beth Busbee (in memoriam) for their work to improve maternal and infant health in Georgia during their respective careers.
J.C. Lewis Attends Savannah State University Annual Women’s Leadership Conference 2017
The SSU Women’s Leadership Conference presented their third annual Women’s Conference focusing on women’s health on March 3, 2017. Our partners at J.C. Lewis Primary Healthcare Center were proud to have their Chief Operating Officer, Rena Douse and MD OB/GYN, Lisa Jackson recognized as phenomenal women leaders making a difference in their community and profession. Dr. Jackson was also a panelist for the “U.S. Health Care System & Access to Quality Health Care” workshop.
We congratulate J.C. Lewis Primary Healthcare Center and its stellar women for their great work and commitment to our community!
Ms. Rena Douse receiving the Community Service Award.
Dr. Jackson receiving A Phenomenal Woman Leader Making A Difference Award.
CCSNPC Recognizes Andrea Huisa as Outstanding Partner Enroller
Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council is pleased to recognize Andrea Huisa, Public Benefits Specialist at Step Up Savannah, for her high quality work performed as a part of Safety Net’s Coastal Campaign for Healthy Kids.
As a bilingual enroller based in First Hispanic Baptist Church, in the last year, Ms. Huisa alone has enrolled 17.8% of the total number of children enrolled by our partners into Medicaid and PeachCare public health insurance programs.
Lisa Hayes, Executive Director, and Dr. Diane Weems, Board Chair, presented the Certificate of Recognition and a gift card to Ms. Huisa at the Safety Net Full Council Meeting on January 24th, 2017.
Agnes Cannella Receives 2016 High Flyer Award
Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council is honored to present the 2016 High Flyer Award to Ms. Agnes Cannella, Mission Services Director at St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System.
With our deep appreciation for going above and beyond, serving as a founding member and providing 12 years of exemplary leadership and commitment to the Council and to the underserved of Chatham County.
Soar to New Heights!
Ms. Lisa Hayes, Executive Director, and Dr. Diane Weems, Chair, presenting the award to Ms. Cannella at the 2016 December Full Council Meeting.
Ms. Cannella with the beautiful gift of flowers from the founding Members, Dr. Weems and Mr. Robert Bush.
J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center Announces J. Brandon Gaffney as New CEO
SAVANNAH, Ga. – J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center and its board of directors are pleased to announce J. Brandon Gaffney has accepted the position of its new CEO. In his new role, Gaffney will provide detailed oversight, strategy, and vision for the nonprofit organization’s future growth and successful execution of its founding mission to provide affordable health care services to individuals in the Savannah community.
Prior to accepting this position, Gaffney served as chief operating officer for twelve years at Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Service, where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations, human resources, and comprehensive facilities of three locations, including oversight of a nearly $12 million annual budget.
“We are confident that Brandon will be an excellent match for this position and a strong asset to our organization,” said J.C. Lewis Board Chair Jennifer Wright. “He brings a wealth of community health center knowledge and experience to this position along with a proven track record of success.”
Gaffney graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and earned a master’s degree in Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C. Gaffney and his wife, Dr. Ebony Gaffney, a psychiatrist who currently practices at Coastal Harbor Health System, are the proud parents of Tyson Gabriel Gaffney, age 3 and Ezra James Gaffney, age 1. Gaffney and his family reside in Pooler, Ga.
ABOUT J.C. LEWIS PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTER:
J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center (JCLPHCC) is a private nonprofit 501(c) organization providing health care services at an affordable rate to qualifying uninsured, under-insured, and homeless persons with limited income in the Savannah community. Founded in 1999, J.C. Lewis is a comprehensive facility providing primary medical, dental, behavioral, and pediatric health care services. For more information, please visit www.jclewishealth.org or call 912.495.8887.
Albert B. Grandy Receives 2016 Dale S. Chapman Administrator of the Year Award
Mr. Albert B. Grandy, the CEO of Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care and CCSNPC Board Treasurer, has been recognized by Georgia Association of Primary Health Care receiving the 2016 Dale S. Chapman Administrator of the Year Award. The Award spotlights an administrator of a primary health care program for the achievement of excellence in leadership, administrative direction and management, resulting in the improvement or expansion of services to the community.
FEMA Teams in Chatham County Helping Survivors
Outreach teams from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are canvassing Georgia communities affected by Hurricane Matthew.
The teams are working in federal disaster-designated counties to help residents register for disaster assistance and to quickly identify and address immediate and emerging needs. The teams can also provide application updates and referrals to additional resources for remaining needs (www.FEMA.gov, News Release, Oct. 19, 2016).
According to the Emergency Management Agencies, FEMA has granted Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Bulloch, Glynn, McIntosh and Wayne counties a declaration of Individual Assistance. With this declaration comes assistance to small businesses as well. Individual Assistance aids homeowners without insurance and opens programs to insured owners.
Residents and business owners can register for assistance in the following ways:
– Call 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA);
– Online at www.disasterassistance.gov;
– Download FEMA app.
For more information, please visit www.chathamemergency.org.
Images Source: www.FEMA.gov
Post Hurricane Matthew: The Power of Togetherness
While natural disasters may break our homes and hearts, it is the power of togetherness in the community that brings restoration and healing back to our citizens.
The following local organizations and volunteers are among those reaching out to the survivors of Hurricane Matthew in Savannah Region to provide help and support to families and individuals in our area:
– Operation Feed Savannah created by Carl Gilliard, Savannah’s First Lady Cynthia DeLoach and Patt Gunn, assisted by the Georgia Restaurant Association, aims to create hot meal centers throughout the Savannah and Chatham County in emergency situations, bringing together local people to help friends in need, including area children. The program will run for the next three weeks, serving residents from a variety of communities across the county. Operation Feed Savannah will be at the Windsor Forest Community Center and the W.W. Law Center. A hot meal will be prepared by area chefs and served from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on October 19th. All are welcome. Operation Feed Savannah will have a food giveaway from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on October 19th at Grace Church on Wilmington Island.
– Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens will host a Catastrophe Claims Village in the parking lot of Home Depot, 11180 Abercorn Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 18th and 19th. The purpose of the event will be to assist area residents with their insurance questions and claims resulting from Hurricane Matthew. Hudgens’ Consumer Services staff along with the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency and representatives from many of the major insurance companies are scheduled to be in attendance.
– Meridth Lamas is hold a food donation drive throughout October to help victims of Hurricane Matthew. Nonperishable food items and/or gift certificates for grocery stores can be dropped off at Meridth Lamas State Farm, 329 Eisenhower Drive, Suite C, or at donation boxes in Savannah at Village Walk Pharmacy on Skidaway Island, LoCost Pharmacy, 612 69th Street, Publix on Skidaway Island, and Publix on Wilmington Island. Food will be distributed to those communities hit hardest in the area. For more information please call (912) 354-2390.
– Fourteen Salvation Army canteens (mobile kitchen units) are in service across Savannah delivering hot meals. Locations are as follows: Tybee Island (roving), Pooler YMCA, Islands YMCA, International Trade Center, Southside Fire Department, Oglethorpe Mall, Civic Center, Carver Village, Cloverdale, Highland Wood trailer park, Grace House, and at 3100 Montgomery St.
– Second Harvest, located at 2501 President Street in Savannah, will be distributing hot meals from noon until 1:30 p.m., October 15th-19th , while supplies last.
Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, Inc. Receives Grant to Help Reduce the Number of Uninsured Children
Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, Inc. Receives Grant to Help Reduce the Number of Uninsured Children
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today named Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, Inc.as one of the recipients from 38 states, school districts, and local community organizations to participate in an effort to get more eligible children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, Inc. will receive a $580,000 Connecting Kids to Coverage grant to enroll eligible children. Today’s awards are designed to build on the historic progress already made increasing the number of children who have health coverage. According to the National Health Interview Survey, only 4.5 percent of children remained uninsured in 2015.
The Connecting Kids to Coverage outreach and enrollment awards will support targeted strategies needed to enroll eligible children who do not have health coverage, including application assistance and targeted outreach. Awardees include states, school districts, and local community organizations from across the country in areas where access to health coverage has been lagging, including among others, American Indians, children with learning disabilities, children living in rural communities, and teens.
“Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the rate of uninsurance for children has declined to its lowest levels on record. Fewer than 1 in 20 children are now uninsured,” said Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. “Today’s awards will accelerate efforts in communities across America to continue this progress and reach millions of children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP but not yet enrolled.”
The latest FY 15 data shows 1,572,483 children are enrolled in either CHIP or Medicaid in Georgia. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped increase the number of children who have access to quality, affordable coverage. In addition, 91 percent of eligible children are now enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, an increase of nearly 10 percentage points since 2008, according to the Urban Institute[1]. These researchers also found that health coverage increased all subgroups of children studied, including among all age groups and in all regions of the country in 2014.
CMS is also releasing today an informational bulletin that highlights existing strategies available to all states to enroll and retain eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP. This information will help all states build on the progress to date to increase the number of children with health coverage.
“Today’s awards will help continue the remarkable progress states and community organizations have made in enrolling eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP,” said Vikki Wachino, deputy administrator and director for the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. “CMS is excited to support innovative strategies to enroll children and address disparities in coverage that have kept some children from obtaining the benefits of Medicaid and CHIP.”
Having coverage improves children’s health, ability to succeed in school, and other positive outcomes. Recent research shows that these gains are long lasting, with children who gained coverage experiencing better health, higher educational attainment, and higher earnings as adults.
The total of $32 million made possible for the Connecting Kids to Coverage outreach and enrollment funding opportunity is authorized by the bipartisan MACRA legislation. Connecting Kids to Coverage outreach and enrollment funding supports activities aimed at identifying children who are eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and helping their families enroll and renew their coverage. Along with the National Connecting Kids to Coverage Campaign, these activities have helped boost enrollment of eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP. They also have helped to engage a wide range of partners in taking steps to make health coverage outreach and enrollment a part of their routine efforts to ensure the health and security of the nation’s children and their families.
For more information, please visit: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/professionals/funding/history.html.
More information on the informational bulletin that identifies tools all states can use to enroll and retain eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP can be found here: https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/federal-policy-guidance.html.