Dr. Azzie YoungAugust 1, 2013

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Today, I wanted to write to You – our patients, residents and community stakeholders to say THANK YOU for allowing Mattapan Community Health Center to be your health care provider and resource for health services. We have an exceptional team who is committed to working with you, your family, and our community partners to Build a Healthier Community. Significant progress has been made in decreasing the infant mortality rate for Mattapan and Hyde Park. The infant mortality rate is a good proxy for the health of the community. Let’s keep up the good work in caring for our pregnant women, their infants, and all of our families!

Tuesday, August 6th marks our One Year Anniversary in Mattapan Square and we love it! A new health center facility was long overdue in Mattapan and is now a testament to the hard work of our staff, a dedicated board of directors, loyal patients, committed community residents and the generosity of many donors and friends who stood by us before, during, and after the completion of the building. It is a building that radiates with pride the richness, diversity, and strength of a resilient community that MCHC has had the opportunity and privilege to serve for 41 years.

As we prepare for our Patient Appreciation Day (Tuesday, August 6th) and recognize Community Health Center Week (August 11- 17), I want to take this opportunity to reflect on a few of our key accomplishments over the last year. For starters, our tenant partners – Citizens Bank and CVS/pharmacy have joined us to be a catalyst for economic development in the community. We are told that real estate prices have improved and that crime has decreased significantly since our construction began in 2011.

• August 2012 – Mattapan Community Health Center moved to its new 4-story “green and healthy” facility in Mattapan Square. On Monday, August 6, 2012, MCHC opened its doors for business to the delight of staff, patients and the community.

• September 2012 – The official Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening ceremony was held on September 10th with more than 400 participants. Participating in the event were many of our elected officials including – Congressman Capuano, Governor Patrick, Mayor Menino, and a host of others from the local and state government. On September 8th, the 16th Annual Health Care Revival was held with over 600 people in attendance under tents on the Boston Public Health Commission Campus on River Street in Mattapan. The theme, “Our Health, Our Power, Our Community” encompassed the importance of self-care and being a partner with your doctors. The release of the 12th Annual Community Health Report Card highlighted the major health issues in Mattapan and Hyde Park compared with Boston overall.

• October 2012 - In partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission and Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, MCHC hosted the “Health of Mattapan Community Meeting.” The purpose of the meeting was to share health data from the Health of Boston Report and to listen to residents’ concerns about their health. In recognition of Breast Health Month, our yearly education event was well attended and provided participants an opportunity to learn more about our onsite Mammography Services now available at MCHC in partnership with Boston Medical Center.

• During the year in our new building, Mattapan Community Health Center has hosted various groups for meetings and events such as Mattapan Square Main Streets’ Holiday Celebration, Faith-based Cancer Disparities Network’s photo exhibit called Faces of Faith Campaign, Young

• Chefs cooking series facilitated by our nutritionist and certified diabetes educator, LEADBoston sponsored by the YWCA and many others.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and our staff, I want to say THANK YOU for your unwavering support. We hope to see you on Tuesday, August 6th as we celebrate together.

Sincerely,

Azzie Young

Azzie Young, PhD, MPA
President and Chief Executive Officer