Healthy-U can help! Thursday, January 26, 3:30 pm Lincoln Heights Health Center 1401 Steffen Ave., Lincoln Heights, OH 45215 For more information or to enroll, call (513) 345-8628 Download a flyer with more details about the Healthy-U group

The HealthCare Connection Dental Center earns national recognition

CINCINNATI. Nov. 21, 2011. The HealthCare Connection’s Dental Center has been honored by the DentaQuest Institute and the National Network for Oral Health Access as a “Center of Excellence that has displayed leadership in oral health practice management and has improved the oral health status of its patients.” The award was presented at the National Primary Oral Health Conference in October.

“This recognition shows that we are making a difference for our patients,” says Lynda Roberts-Riddle, D.D.S., director of The HealthCare Connection’s Dental Center. “Instead of putting out fires, we are creating treatment plans, educating our patients and monitoring their progress while at the same time being fiscally responsible.” She also stresses the importance of integrating physical and oral health.

“Sometimes people forget how important oral health is as a component of medical health. Our focus is providing a patient centered health home, which encompasses both medical and dental health” says Dolores Lindsay, CEO of The HealthCare Connection. “We’re very proud of the work that Dr. Riddle and her team have done to improve the oral health of our patients.”

According to the Ohio Department of Health, oral care is the top unmet health care need for children and low-income adults in Ohio. Twenty-three percent of children in third grade and 28 percent of 3-5 year old Head Start children have untreated cavities. Almost half of low-income adults have had at least one tooth removed due to tooth decay or gum disease. “Oral health is essential to the general health and well-being of our patients and plays a critical role in their self-esteem and ability to succeed in work and school,” says Dr. Riddle.

Herald captures excitement of Fifth Annual Signature Fall Jazz Concert

Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum delighted the crowd at our Fifth Annual Signature Fall Jazz Concert, which attracted more than 1,500 fans to the Aronoff on Oct. 22. The Cincinnati Herald was there to record the event and the pre-concert VIP reception. Click here to see the story and photos. Thanks to our committee, sponsors and hosts and hostesses, and thanks to our photographers, Dan Yount, Herald editor and Dr. Michael Kreines.

Health Foundation: Supporting medical care for mental health patients

The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati provided $100,000 to THCC to increase primary healthcare access at existing integrated behavioral health practice sites by strengthening administrative systems. Many SMD (severe mental disorder) patients lack a medical home, and the percentage of uninsured clients has increased.  The grant also helped to centralize key operations for maximum efficiency.

2011 Walk to Wellness
Raises Nearly $10,000 for THCC

On Saturday, May 21, over 150 participants joined together to benefit The HealthCare Connection at the 6th Annual 5K Walk to Wellness and Spring Into Health Fair at Glenwood Gardens and raised nearly $10,000 for THCC. View the photo gallery.

Lincoln Heights Health Center and Mt. Healthy Family Practice earn national recognition for patient centered care

Dolores Lindsay, CEO of The HealthCare Connection, and Nina Lewis, board chair, with Dr. Robert Graham, national president of Aligning Forces for Quality, who joined the staff in celebrating achievement of PPC-PCMH status.

The THCC is thrilled to announce that Lincoln Heights Health Center and Mt. Healthy Family Practice have received Level 2 recognition from the Physician Practice Connections-Patient-Centered Medical Home (PPC-PCMH) program for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term participative relationships. We are the first two FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Centers) in Ohio to have received this recognition. We are also the only community health centers in Greater Cincinnati that have been recognized at Level 2.

“This represents a giant leap for community health centers,” explains Dolores Lindsay, CEO. “It shows that care at our centers meets the same high standards for quality and service as a physician’s private office.” The HealthCare Connection is working towards achieving this recognition for its behavioral health practice sites as well.

For more information on this recognition,  please visit http://recognition.ncqa.org.

The HealthCare Connection connects all persons to quality healthcare--all ages, all cultures, all incomes, all health concerns. We were founded in 1967 as Ohio’s first community health center. Our mission is the same today as it was when we first opened for operation. We serve low-income, underinsured, and uninsured persons living in northern Hamilton County. We make sure they receive the same access to quality healthcare as fully insured persons.