Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Healthcare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nonprofit clinic Empower Healthcare pitches local outreach, telehealth and HIV prevention to Belle Glade commission
Summary
Dr. Jinga of Empower Healthcare told the Belle Glade commission the nonprofit will offer primary care, house calls, telehealth, diabetes and cardiovascular screenings, women's health services and HIV prevention programs, and described grant partnerships and community outreach plans.
Dr. Jinga Oasby Brim, a board-certified nurse practitioner and HIV specialist, told the Belle Glade City Commission on Feb. 24 that Empower Healthcare will expand local access to primary care and preventive services regardless of patients’ ability to pay.
"Our commitment to the community is to increase access to quality healthcare regardless of one's ability to pay," Dr. Jinga said, describing a clinic model that combines in-clinic visits, house calls and a free telehealth app so patients can call, text and video with providers.
The presentation gave specifics about services: diabetes management, cardiovascular screenings, peripheral arterial screening to assess circulation without invasive tests, women's health services coordinated with mammography vans, and HIV prevention and treatment including rapid start and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programs. Dr. Jinga said Empower Healthcare obtained a community grant for circulation screening equipment and has partnerships with American Heart and the Florida Department of Health.
Dr. Jinga also described a small on-site dispensary approved by the Department of Health that carries basic medicines for patients who cannot otherwise afford them. "We do not turn anyone away," she said, adding that the clinic agrees with the Department of Health’s volunteer provider program to serve uninsured residents.
Commissioners and staff praised the clinic's outreach plans. Commissioner Reese and Vice Mayor Almazon expressed support for collaborative efforts to bring mental-health and women's-health resources into the community. Dr. Jinga said Empower Healthcare runs community screening events and two large annual outreach events, and that staff work with local partners to teach residents how to "know their numbers" and manage chronic disease.
The commission did not take a formal vote on funding or contracts during the presentation; staff said they will follow up on requests for city assistance and coordination with other county and nonprofit programs.
The commission requested continued updates from the clinic and offered assistance with local outreach and grant coordination.
