With a new grant in hand, Memphis-based nonprofit Christ Community Health Services plans to open a health care center in Jackson, Tennessee, in an area that would have lost a key medical resource.
Christ Community received a New Access Point grant that provides $650,000 annually from the U.S. Human Resources & Services Administration’s (HRSA) Health Center Program. The grant is the maximum allowed from the Health Center Program and will help cover the new center's operating costs. It will be located in East Jackson and deliver primary care services to medically underserved groups.
Faith Health Center, which currently provides health care in East Jackson, planned to cease operations on November 26 of this year. Christ Community will open its center, using Faith's existing space at 655 Lexington Ave., by the end of 2019 under the moniker of Christ Community Health Services, East Jackson Health Center.
According to Christ Community, about a third of residents living near Faith Health Center reside below the federal poverty line. In 2017, Faith Hill provided about $680,000 in health care to uninsured and underinsured patients, according to the nonprofit’s tax filing.
West Tennessee Healthcare will partner on the new center, as well.
“The need for quality and affordable health care is paramount as the area lacks a federally qualified health center in the targeted service area,” Christ Community Health Services CEO Shantelle Leatherwood said in a release. “Christ Community was approached by Dr. David Larsen, founder of the Faith Health Center, regarding a desire to partner approximately 12 months ago. His heart for the community sparked our desire to consider this expansion. … Working alongside Dr. Larsen, it is our plan to replicate the same model of care in the Jackson community.”
Leatherwood said that Christ Community visited with the leadership of West Tennessee Healthcare to explore the coming need for medical services in East Jackson, and the consensus was finding a way to continue care.
“With financial support from both HRSA and West Tennessee Healthcare, Christ Community will be able to serve the medical needs of residents in East Jackson,” she said.
By Jason Bolton – Data Editor, Memphis Business Journal