Mission Moment: Marion & Johnson County School Based Teams Celebrate Summer
While students enjoy their summer breaks, A&C staff are still collaborating and working hard to ensure that those students have access to fun and resources all year long. School based leaders Jaymee Cummings, Team Leader for Perry School Based 2, Aja Bridgewater, Director of School Based Services, Aby Wischmeier, Assistant Director of School Based Services, Liz Stern, Assistant Director of School Based Services, and the staff of Perry Township School Based 2 welcomed staff, clients, and families to A&C’s 8404 Siear Terrace location on June 21 to celebrate summer and enjoy a day of fun, resources, movement, food, and games. Preparation for this event started with the approval of summer funding through the Indy Summer Youth Programs/Summer Youth Program Fund, which aims to supplement existing programs in order to enrich, enhance, and expand summer offerings for children and youth. A&C received funds specifically through Lilly Endowment, Inc. Once the team received funding, they set to work brainstorming ideas that would be both creative and fun for clients, their families, and staff. Their goal this year was to utilize the funds differently from years past, and they landed on a proposal to provide youth and families with experiences and activities they might not otherwise get to experience during the summer weeks, including the inaugural Summer Celebration and multiple park days throughout Marion County. After 3-4 weeks of planning, the team was able to pull off an exciting and interactive event with not only participation from multiple other A&C teams, but outside vendors including Kona Ice, DJ Duane Curry, caricature artist Bob East, Good Moves yogi Monica Wearren, and Indianapolis Fire Department – Station 35. Taste of Grace food truck provided lunch for the event, donating their time, supplies, tables, canopies, and a team of seven to serve food and drinks. Approximately 150 guests were in attendance throughout the day. When asked about her favorite aspect of the Summer Celebration, what stood out for Jaymee was all of the family participation. “Some families attended the event with a provider as well as on their own. We saw many smiling faces as children and families won giveaways throughout the day, they were very excited to win activities that will keep them busy through the summer,” she said. “We also enjoyed all of the participants who engaged in the live motion and movement sessions with Monica Wearren.” Jaymee wants to extend a special thank you to all of the staff, students, clients and their families who made this day a success. “It was very awesome to see this all come together,” said Jaymee. “Definitely a mission moment.”
Adult & Child Health Receives Silver Adolescent-Centered Environment Certification From The Adolescent Health Initiative
Adult & Child Health is proud to announce successful completion of the Adolescent Champion Model and certification as a silver adolescent-centered health center. The Adolescent Champion Model, developed and facilitated by the Adolescent Health Initiative out of the University of Michigan, is an intervention designed to address a health center’s environment, policies, and practices to ensure that all aspects of a patient’s visit are adolescent-centered. Through the Champion Model, health centers receive guidance and training on improving their practices, policies, culture, and environment to support adolescent health while also participating in a community of practice with other health centers. “A&C strives to serve our clients with compassion to provide services for physical, social, and behavioral health. Becoming silver-certified adds another level to this care. Many of our team cares for adolescents regularly and their voices are just as important as their adult counterparts,” said Sarah Iwinski-Wallace, Lead Coordinator of Adult & Child’s Youth Development Program. During adolescence, youth experience disproportionately high rates of mental health issues, substance use, sexually transmitted diseases, and unintentional injuries that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Consequently, the health care needs of adolescents are unique from other patient populations. Young people may avoid accessing the services they need for various reasons including concerns around confidentiality, fear of judgment, and inconvenient hours and location. The Adolescent Champion Model allows Adult & Child to create a space that is welcoming for all ages. With the changes, patients can expect to see welcoming art that was created by local youth (pictured), a space for youth to color and play in the waiting area, sexual health packs that can be taken after appointments, privacy in each exam room with sound machines, hygiene items provided to those in need, and a LGBTQ+ safe environment. Adolescent-centered spaces effectively provide comprehensive services for adolescents, ensuring that they feel well cared for. An adolescent-centered environment is inclusive of, informed by, and responsive to the needs and values of adolescents. “With this certification, we can amplify youth voices in the health care clinics and to provide training to our team to best support adolescents and their families,” said Wallace. “The adolescent-centered environment is just another way A&C continues to support the community and clients that we serve.” Adult & Child Health is an accredited nonprofit primary care, behavioral health, and social services provider with multiple locations in central Indiana. We strive for caring communities, where every child, adult and family have the opportunities they need to live healthy, happy, productive lives.
Join A&C in Celebrating National Health Center Week August 7-11
Staff, clients, friends, and community members are all invited to celebrate National Health Center Week with A&C from August 7 through August 11 on-site and on social media. A&C will feature a different topic of focus each day, which will involve education, agency highlights, and several giveaways: Monday, August 7: Youth Healthcare Tuesday, August 8: Patient Appreciation Wednesday, August 9: Healthcare for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Thursday, August 10: Staff & Stakeholder Appreciation Friday, August 11: Minority Healthcare Rounding out the celebration will be a free community health fair on Friday, August 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 8404 Siear Terrace office. Several community partners will be participating in the event, including NAMI Indiana and InteCare. Free snacks will be provided by Market Square Popcorn, and food will be available for purchase from Taste Budz Food Truck. Entertainment and activities will be provided by Good Moves Yoga and ZeeBee Karaoke. There will also be a free, interactive photo booth by Bhatta Boom Photo Booth. National Health Center Week is an annual celebration to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers, including the many innovative ways that health centers are providing high-quality health care, improving health outcomes, and narrowing health disparities. For A&C, this week is also an opportunity to strengthen local partnerships, increase community understanding of the organization’s mission and services, and ultimately encourage more folks to walk through A&C’s clinic doors on the first step of their journey toward comprehensive, compassionate healthcare.
Adult & Child Health Welcomes New Doctors to Indianapolis Clinic
Adult & Child Health (A&C) is pleased to announce two new physicians joining the Garfield Park clinic. Dr. Joe Banks and Dr. Joanna Chambers are the newest physicians to join the growing clinic and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization. They are the newest additions to the Garfield Park clinic located at 234E. Southern Ave., Indianapolis. As A&C continues to keep pace with the demand for primary care, Dr. Banks’ addition to the healthcare team is welcomed. “Dr. Banks brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of our patients’ needs. I am very excited to welcome him to the team,” said Jeremy Tuterow, Practice Manager at Garfield Park. “He provides top-notch primary care services with a strong passion for providing community-based care focused on social determinant factors to bring the best outcomes possible for our patients.” Dr. Joe Banks is a primary care physician with his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University College of Medicine. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Jamaica Queens, New York City. He brings significant family medicine and primary care experience, working to treat Hoosiers across the state since 2008. Dr. Banks joined Adult & Child Health in at the end of 2021 and is currently accepting new patients. Additionally, A&C welcomes a new psychiatrist to the healthcare team. Dr. Joanna Chambers is a psychiatrist who began seeing Adult & Child Health patients in November. She graduated from Medical College of Georgia with her Doctorate of Medicine in 1996 and completed her residency in psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. In addition to bringing a wealth of experience, she currently serves as an associate professor at Indiana University School of Medicine where she teaches Clinical Psychiatry. She is certified in Addiction Medicine and has a special interest in treating pregnant and postpartum women. She is President of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry Organization as well as a sitting member of many medical association boards. Recently, she has won the Residents’ Award for Teaching Excellence in 2020 from Indiana University and has received “Best Doctors Award” in 2010, 2011, and 2014. Incredibly active in the medical, academic, and research realms of medicine, we are happy to welcome her. Dr. Chambers is currently accepting new patients on Wednesdays. “We are very excited to welcome Dr. Chambers,” said Dr. Christine Negendank, Chief Medical Officer. “Her knowledge and strong reputation for quality care makes her a great addition to the Adult & Child Health team. As an active member of the medical community, we’re looking forward to the impact her care has on the surrounding neighborhoods and our patients who are seeking compassionate, empathetic care.” Both Dr. Banks and Dr. Chambers are accepting new patients. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the Adult & Child Health scheduling center at 1-877-822-5122. Adult & Child Health is an accredited nonprofit primary care, behavioral health, and social services provider with multiple locations in central Indiana. We strive for caring communities, where every child, adult and family have the opportunities they need to live healthy, happy, productive lives. For more information about Adult & Child Health programs, please contact Tina Serrano, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at 317-882-5122.
