Open Door Family Medical Center, in collaboration with MVP Health Care, celebrated National Health Center Week by providing free backpacks and school supplies to all school children who came in for a visit during the week. The celebration and Back to School giveaway took place at its health centers throughout Westchester and Putnam counties.
The giveaway took place August 9 – 14 at Open Door medical and dental sites in Ossining, Mamaroneck, Mount Kisco, Port Chester, Sleepy Hollow, Brewster, and at its School-Based Health Centers in Ossining and Port Chester, where more than 1,000 patients (newborn-18) had a visit and received a free backpack. Open Door encouraged families throughout the week to bring children in for their medical and dental visits, immunizations, important health and developmental screenings, COVID-19 vaccines (for children ages 12 & older), sports physicals, etc.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate the work of Community Health Centers that provide a safety net for their patients and to support the children in our local communities who have experienced so many challenges over the past year because of the pandemic,” said Open Door Marketing Director Grace Battaglia. “We recognize that many children were forced to miss regular health screenings and wellness visits. We want to kick off the new school year by getting the kids in our communities excited for what we hope will be a happy, healthy 2021-2022 school year.”
“Community Health Centers are an essential cornerstone to supporting the health and well-being of our children,” said MVP Health Care Medical Director and Pediatrician, Dr. Kristen Navarette. “The pandemic has undoubtably left a gap between the care kids need and the care they are receiving. We are so proud to partner with Open Door to help them celebrate National Health Center Week and to shine a light on the high-quality services that Health Centers can provide to families and children ahead of a return to school this Fall.”
Since the nation’s first Community Health Centers (also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers or FQHCs) opened in 1965, expansion to over 1,400 organizations has created an affordable health care option for more than 29 million Americans. Health centers help increase access to crucial primary care by reducing such barriers as cost, lack of instance and language for their patients. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) was founded in 1971 to promote efficient, high quality, comprehensive health care that is accessible, both culturally and linguistically competent, community directed, and patient centered for all.
Open Door Family Medical Centers’ mission has remained consistent since it opened in 1972: to provide high-quality health care that is affordable, accessible and efficient. Today, the FQHC cares for nearly 1,000 adults and children every day in Westchester and Putnam counties – with more than 300,000 patient visits – regardless of one’s ability to pay. Open Door provides medical, dental, and behavioral health care across its health centers, and offers specialty services that include pediatrics, women’s health (OB/GYN), podiatry, optometry, and more. Open Door currently operates health centers in Ossining, Port Chester, Sleepy Hollow, Mount Kisco, Brewster, and Mamaroneck, as well as seven school-based health centers, and a comprehensive dental facility in Saugerties. Open Door believes that good health begins with prevention and wellness, including good nutrition, stress reduction and physical activity to help families stay healthy.
