BCHN Recognizes Health Champions from Community

NY State Senator, Gustavo Rivera presented BCHN with a proclamation during the recognition dinner. Pictured with Rivera, Eleanor Larrier, BCHN CEO.

BCHN Recognized Health Champions from Community

Recognition Dinner Held in Honor of 50th Anniversary of the Development of Community Health Centers

BRONX, N.Y.— In celebration of National Health Center Week, Bronx Community Health Network, Inc. (BCHN) held its 10th Annual Community Health Champions Recognition Dinner to honor BCHN’s health educators, nutritionists, patient navigators, and patients from each of the 17 affiliated health centers.

The champions recognized during this year’s recognition dinner accomplished significant health goals including weight loss through exercise and changes to diet, as well as general health management in order to control chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Health Champions honored by BCHN for their accomplishments.

“We are extremely proud of the collaboration between our community health team and our patients. Their accomplishments serve as an inspiration to so many others,” said Dr. Jay Izes, BCHN Chief Medical Officer. “Every year, patients tell us great success stories that often begin with ‘I didn’t think I could…’ these are the stories that we need to share.”

Two such individuals who were honored were William, a patient from the Montefiore University Avenue Family Practice, and Cynthia, a patient from the Claremont Family Health Center.

Community Health Champion Partners from Monte
Armenia Lugar de Refugio Church. Pictured (L-R): Sister
Matilde Salazar, Senior Pastor Reverend Braulio Martinez,
and his wife First Lady Pastora Reyna Martinez.

During a consultation with a health educator last year, William weighed more than 290 pounds. His health educator Nereyda Franco, MPH, MCHES, CLC, discussed the potential risks for chronic health conditions due to his weight. Since that initial conversation, through a change in diet and exercise; to date, William has lost nearly 40 pounds and is still going. He has also gained the confidence to make other positive changes in his life, including going back to college.

"You [BCHN and its health team members] helped me understand the importance of eating healthy and being more active,” said William. “Before coming here, I wouldn’t even have breakfast. I learned to eat better and learned new ways to be more active. Today I eat better and I do my work outs every day.”

Community Health Champion Partners from
Highbridge Community Church. Pictured (L-R):
Pastor Cora Taitt and church elder Debra
Thomas, Director of Outreach.

Since 2006, Cynthia has been working diligently to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. She sets a positive example of how to take control of one’s health. Cynthia adheres to a strict diet and maintains physically active, and works closely with her health educator, Melissa Moreira and her other health care provides to make sure everything regarding her health is on track.

BCHN’s celebration also marked with the 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of the development of the first two community health centers that stemmed from Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, and the Civil Rights Movement.

About BCHN

Bronx Community Health Network, Inc. (BCHN) is a non-profit organization and federally funded health center. BCHN’s 17 affiliated community- and school-based health centers served more than 100,000 individuals from the Bronx in 2014 alone. These health centers offer Bronx residents affordable, quality medical care and related health services regardless of ethnic, immigration, social backgrounds, and ability to pay. BCHN’s goal is to improve the health of the borough. It promotes disease prevention, early treatment and healthful lifestyles for all ages. Through its centers, individuals have access to comprehensive patient-centered care, including support services such as social workers, health educators, and nutritionists. Through its community based programs, BCHN promotes healthy lifestyles through health-related events, and connects people to care. Health centers are owned and operated by Montefiore Medical Center and the Acacia Network.

Learn more: www.bchnhealth.org. Follow BCHN: Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.