According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “Across the nation, gaps in health are large, persistent and increasing—many of them caused by barriers set up at all levels of our society. After all, it's hard to be healthy without access to good jobs and schools and, safe, affordable homes. Health equity means increasing opportunities for everyone to live the healthiest life possible, no matter who we are, where we live, or how much money we make.”
Health equity is having a big moment lately, and we at GRMDC are glad for it. We recognize that healthcare shouldn’t be “one size fits all” and we pride ourselves on flexing to fit the needs of our patients and community. We wouldn't be here without the Greater Roslindale community, and we are proud of our role in being a leader for change.
“While there is still much work to do on a larger state/country/worldwide level, we also know that change begins at home. For that reason, we aim to not only work with partners like Boston Medical Center, the Boston Public Health Commission, and the MassLeague of Community Health Centers to change the larger systems driving inequity in healthcare, but also to look within ourselves and our community to see what positive changes we can make here. While we learn and grow, we promise to do everything we can to ensure that our patients and community feel welcome, heard, and respected as we work together toward a common goal of good health for all,” Marissa Hamrick, MD, Family Medicine.
As stewards of health equity, we have specialty providers who allow us to meet the needs of every patient and who collaborate to provide the very best care for all of our patients. Our providers have different training and different strengths, and this allows us to give patients the best recommendations and treatments and ultimately achieve the optimal health outcomes for every patient.
“It is important as a provider to be an advocate and a trusted partner to the LGBTQIA+ community because they often don’t have support at home, at work, at school or among family and friends. This community has unique health care needs that require specific expertise and knowledge,” says Brenda Levy, MD, Pediatrics. “Research has shown that this community faces health disparities and worse health outcomes linked to stigma, discrimination and delay in care, higher rates of substance abuse, mental illness and suicide,” she added.
We at GRMDC believe equitable healthcare is a human right and all patients deserve the same treatment.
*Photo by Harry Quan on Unsplash