UNACARE HEALTH CENTER A NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER IN MIDTOWN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

UNACARE HEALTH CENTERA NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER IN MIDTOWN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPIPamela Helms, RN, MN FNP-BCAssistant ProfessorDirector of Clinical ServicesUNACAREUniversity Nursing Associatesprovides Community Access to Health Resources and EducationBeginnings1998Unique Affiliation with UMMC SON and Midtown Community PartnersNo start-up fundingCommunity PartnersUniversity of Mississippi School of NursingMidtown Partners, Inc.Jackson Housing AuthorityMississippi Baptist Health SystemsWalker Foundation (non profit foundation dedicated to revitalizing the North Midtown area of Jackson, capitol city of MississippiHealth care colleagues Family Medicine, OB-GYN, Pediatrics

The UNACARE DifferentialFirst health care facility managed/staffed by nursing faculty in urban area in MSNeighborhood locationPatient-centered environmentEducation focus to empower clientsCOMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS with organizations to design and implement a program where empowered people take charge of their neighborhood, thier health and their lives

Current Site30 year old building with myriad of problemsUbiquitous Yazoo ClayElectricalPlumbingStructural shifting4 exam rooms (one marginally useful)Situated on perimeter of neighborhood 2 miles from University of Mississippi Medical CenterSince Opening June 1998$528,041.05 in uncompensated careSON contributed over 12, 000 hours of faculty service through faculty practiceHealth care provided to over 25,000 clientsEarned presence in communityFamiliarity with large, extended, multigenerational familieschildren who received their immunizations &camp physicals, now young adults starting own families

Since 1998Over a decade primary care services in a predominantly African American communityPoverty rate of 47%64% of children live below poverty levelLimited transportation in spite of inner city location

UNACARES FUTURECHALLENGESPLANS

Community ActivityJHA-Midtown Partners Initiative

Housing opportunitiesHealth (services/community support/education/recreation)A mixed use neighborhoodNew UNACARE facilityJHA acquisition of commercial space 0.4 miles6 exam rooms, education/consult room/ completely renovated spaceShared location with JHA satellite office, community room, UNACARE Health Center and Community Barber ShopExpansion of ServicesAddition of staffFull-time Nurse PractitionerFull-time Registered NurseFull-time MOAExpansion of EHR to fully integrated Expansion of hours of operationIncrease patient visitsExpansion of EducationAdvanced Practice Students complete 30% of clinical learning experience in at UNACARE Or30% of clinical practice in medically underserved, economically disadvantaged community based nurse-managed health centerUNACARE

Community PartnersLadybugs Tour UMMCSON