Gathered together in downtown Manhattan at the Federal Office Building, New York City Providers of Health Care for the Homeless (PHCH) celebrated National Health Care for the Homeless Day.  The event was an important opportunity for providers from all over the city to step back from their day to day work and celebrate those among them who go above and beyond in their service of homeless men, women and children.  The day highlighted the lifetime achievements of HCH providers and recognized one individual from each of the 12 agencies represented as a Health Center Hero or Shero.

Harlem United Hero: Eric Edwards

HU recognized Eric Edwards as the agency Hero for 2012.  Mr. Edwards has been a Dental Assistant with Harlem United for over eight years.  Mr. Edwards has bonded with clients enrolled in the ADHC program and has been able to help clients reduce their fear of being seen by a new dentist.  Mr. Edwards has even committed to educating clients about the importance of oral hygiene as part of the outreach team.

Compassion in Homeless Services Award

During the event, PHCH honored Philip W. Brickner, MD for his lifelong concern and care for the medical needs of homeless New Yorkers.  Jim O’Connell, MD, President of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program and well known doctor of street medicine, presented the award to Dr. Brickner.  Dr. O’Connell was just one of many people in attendance whose careers had been inspired and shaped by the work of Dr. Brickner.  In 1969, Dr. Brickner created one of the earliest community medicine programs in the country at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan.  The program was quickly recognized as a success.  Gaining national recognition and federal funding, Dr. Brickner’s model of providing health care for the homeless quickly spread.  Today, close to 240 programs based on Dr. Brickner’s model operate across the United States.

The conference proved to be both educational and enjoyable.  Providers and administrators learned of the importance of collaboration, while celebrating the tremendous work of their colleagues.  Much of the credit for the day goes to former HU Policy Intern, Whitney Buckholz.

Please, contact Andrew Leonard, aleonard@harlemunited.org with questions or requests for more information.

Please join us for a Celebration of All Women in honor of Mother's Day.

May 10 2012, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Harlem United @ 290 Lenox Avenue, Lower Level, For more information please contact Sakinah Jabbar @ 212 289 2378 x 1208