Looking Back, Looking Ahead: From our Medical Director
In March of 2006 Pastor Mary and I were still getting to know each other and firming up our vision for a free clinic to serve people who had common health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure but nowhere to go for regular medical care. Still to come: applying for non-profit status, raising our first dollar, hiring our first employee, converting the church annex from a bakery into a space where we could see patients, securing volunteers, obtaining medical supplies and equipment,…
An Epic LEAP!
On February 8, we reached a milestone! We made the change from paper charts to Epic, an electronic health record (EHR). EHRs make all of a patient’s health information available in a single database. This helps our staff members easily share information between each other about our patients’ care as well a as see information about the care our patients receive outside North by Northeast. We can now order labs and medications electronically so our patients don’t have to come to our office…
Update on Our Big Move
We’re moving...and we’re thrilled to share our great news! While our 2,000 square foot space at Cascadia’s Garlington Center has served us well since 2009, we now need something bigger for our expanding patient population and staff. Over the past year we pounded the pavement looking at possible new homes for the clinic. We also talked a lot with patients and community members about what they wanted in a new space. What we heard over and over again was, “Please stay in the neighborhood!…
Still Here!
In August our Patient Wellness Council (PWC) kicked off their third year with an evening of stories, laughter, good food and sharing. This summer, staff members personally invited some additional patients to consider joining the PWC. What stood out to us in each of the people we invited was their tenacity in making positive changes in their health and their desire to encourage others to do the same. The PWC has a big year ahead of them. The motto for this year is “Still Here!” At the August…
Cuts & Checks is Making a Difference!
Since we opened nine years ago, we’ve been relentless in our fight against uncontrolled high blood pressure, as this is proven to be one of the best ways to prevent heart attacks and strokes. We recently launched Cuts and Checks, our barbershop high blood pressure program, under the leadership of our Community Health Worker, Sharetta Butcher. This program is aimed at increasing awareness of high blood pressure and reducing the rate of heart disease and strokes among African American men in our…
It’s Time to Start Celebrating .... 10 Years!
As the co-chairs of North by Northeast’s Board of Directors, we are excited to launch the countdown to our 10 year anniversary this August! As we remember our beginnings and look to the future, we have much to be grateful for and plenty of energy for the work ahead. We were founded in 2005 after a chance meeting related to relief for Hurricane Katrina survivors. Demand for our services grew quickly after we opened in 2006, prompting a move from our original 500 square foot home on N Williams…