Memphis Health Center, Inc.
The concept of Memphis Health Center, Inc. (MHC, Inc.) as a prepaid health plan was generated in early 1970 by members of the Bluff City Medical Society and concerned, aware citizens within the area. In 1973, the MCH, Inc. concept changed to take the form of a community health center. During this time federal responsibility was transferred from OEO to the Bureau of Community Health Services of the U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The latest federal responsibility lies with the Bureau of Health Care Delivery and Assistance, U. S. Department of Health & Human Services.
MCH, Inc.'s goal is to plan, establish, conduct and evaluate a comprehensive health service sensitive and responsive primarily to the needs of the community served, and secondarily to other sections of Memphis and Shelby County and the Mid-South. Clinical services include immunizations and early screenings, family practice, OB-GYN, internal medicine, dental, medical laboratory, pharmacy, and radiology. Urology and podiatry services are available at the Rossville site. Prevention/outreach services are aimed at special populations impacted by conditions and diseases such as STDs, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, violence, teen pregnancy, and infant mortality. Patient care support services include health education, social services, and transportation.
In addition to 330 funded community health center services, MHC, Inc. also administers a 340 funded health care service for an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 homeless persons. Homeless health care services include case management, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, and primary care. In addition to services at the main site, two homeless mini-clinics are operated off-site at the Salvation Army and Calvary Church.
History
In 1971, MCH, Inc. offices initially opened in a storefront in the Metro Shopping Plaza at Crump and Danny Thomas Boulevards. The initial focus of the center was on preventive medical and dental care. Two dental hygienists and two nurse practitioners visited Memphis City Schools, instructing students in proper dental hygiene and conducting classes on preventive health care topics.
By 1974, MHC, Inc. had obtained three trailers to be used as temporary medical and dental facilities and had hired additional staff to recruit and register patients as well as to provide care. Five consultant physicians, one dentist, and two dental hygienists delivered care in three medical exam rooms and two dental operatories. In the first months of operation in the trailer facilities, an average of fifty patients per day were registered at the health center and over 25 patients were seen daily by the health care providers.
The white stucco facility which is the current home of Memphis Health Center opened in February 1975. Included in the new building were 10 medical exam rooms, four dental operatories, a laboratory, and a radiographic exam room. The health center offered a complete range of health services, including physician and nursing care, diagnostic laboratory and x-ray services, pharmacy, home health, dental, and transportation services. In keeping with its goal of accessible "total person" health care, MHC, Inc. stressed preventive health as well as treatment for acute and episodic medical problems.
The services offered at MHC, Inc. reflected the health problems found in the south Memphis community. Because a large segment of the population were elderly who suffered from chronic diseases, a home-health care program was offered. The rate and seriousness of dental disease in the community necessitated a dental program that not only stressed restorative dentistry, but also focused on oral hygiene and prevention of dental problems. Recognizing the transportation needs of many of the patients, MHC, Inc. also offered transportation to and from the center to those in greatest need: the elderly, the handicapped, and mothers with infant children registered at the center. In an attempt to be available to as many members of the community as possible, the health center operated from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. through the week. Thus, from it earliest years, MHC, Inc. offered appropriate services in a manner that made these services accessible to the entire community.
In the early part of the 1980s, MHC, Inc. expanded its services to the north Memphis Community--The Chelsea-Watkins Health Center at 1230 North Watkins and the Greenlaw Health Center at 278 Greenlaw. In 1986, MHC, Inc. expanded its services to the Fayette County, Tennessee community, assuming operation of the Rossville Health Center, Highway 57 and Knox Road, Rossville, Tennessee. In 1987, MHC, Inc. increased square footage at its 360 Crump site by adding 7,600 square feet of heated space. A $3,500,000 capital improvement campaign is scheduled to begin soon to generate funds to expand the physical plant at the main clinic site.The Memphis Health Center, Inc. has attempted to grow and keep pace with technology changes and competition within the community. Yet, in its growth and expansion, the original purpose for which the corporation was founded is as real, if not more so, than in 1979. The provision of personalized health services in a setting of dignity is the corporation's underlying goal in all of its activities.
Organizational Structure
The MHC, Inc. is structured vertically with a mixture of staff and operational support positions whose authority for operations and services ultimately resides in the nineteen-person Board of Governors, the majority of whom are residents and patients of the center's service area. As the governing body of the corporation, the board makes basic policies, sets goals, and decides priorities and emphasis of service. It also selects and provides direction and immediate supervision to the president and chief executive officer whom it charges with the responsibility of implementing organizational policies, goals, and objectives.
A large portion of the board's work is conducted in committee and council meetings. These standing and ad hoc groups bring recommendations back to the full body for discussion and approval. Board members and their families take an active part in the activities and community events sponsored by the corporation.
The MHC, Inc. organization is administered and managed by a senior management team. The team is comprised of: the chief executive officer, the chief health officer, the chief financial officer, the chief operations officer, the chief ancillary officer, the chief dental officer, and the human resources director. Led by the CEO, the management team is responsible for the delivery of quality, affordable care. Staff training, continuing education, and retention and recruitment are management priorities. MHC, Inc. activities are managed under a concept of total quality management. Health care services are provided and led by a team of competent medical providers who are supported by an outstanding array of pharmacy, radiology, medical laboratory, and other medial and community health support services.
Target Populations
In 1990, MHC, Inc.'s urban service area had sixty-two census tracts with a total population of 915,443 persons. Of this number, 104,777 (54%), were below the federal poverty line with an average median income of $8,121 for a family of four. African Americans comprised eighty-five percent of the total service area population. In the rural service area the population was 12,340 persons. Thirteen percent (3,320) were persons over sixty-five, and 33% were under the age of nineteen. African Americans made up 13% of the total population and Caucasians comprised 86%.
In 1995, MHC, Inc. had a total of 28,109 users. The user population is 98% African American. Eighty-eight percent of the users are at or below the federal poverty guidelines. Forty-five percent are Medicaid prepaid; forty-one percent are self pay/uninsured; nine percent are Medicare recipients; and five percent are insurance payers. Some sixty-seven percent were females, thirty-six percent were under 19, and seven percent were elderly. The largest category of users was the 20-44 year age group.