Mattapan Community Health Center Rocks the Boat For a Healthier Community

Dr. Emault Louis Pedi of the Mattapan Community Health Center (MCHC) examines a young patient sitting on the lap of his mom. MCHC’s new state-of-the-art facility at 1575 Blue Hill Ave. in Mattapan Square can now see more patients and provide additional services. The broad range of care includes maternal and child health, dentistry, primary care, preventative health services and behavioral services. The new building, which houses a Citizens Bank and a CVS Pharmacy, also serves as an anchor for the Mattapan Main Streets Business District.

As the Mattapan Community Health Center (MCHC) prepares to mark its 41st anniversary with its annual Rock the Boat fundraiser on Saturday, April 27, longtime patients such as Shanisha Thompson and her family are enjoying the expanded services of the Center in its new space at 1575 Blue Hill Ave. in Mattapan Square.

Among the nearly 10,000 patients and visitors who will make multiple visits to MCHC this year, Shanisa uses the full range of maternal, child health and OB/GYN services offered through the center. Shanisa and her husband, Troy, are the proud parents of a baby girl named Alyssa, who was born barely two weeks ago. And Shanisa also brought her son Batese Woodberry — now 15 — to the Center for prenatal and pediatric care.

It’s truly a family affair, because when Shanisa was a child, her mom brought her to the clinic. Shanisa said, “I am a lifelong patient of the center. I feel comfortable there and my family and I would never go anywhere else for care. The doctors, nurses and midwives are like family. They make me feel like it’s my clinic.”

This is music to the ears of Dr. Azzie Young, CEO of Mattapan Community Health Center. She said, “We focus on building a healthier community. And we are proud and grateful for the professional service that our extraordinary team of health care providers gives to our patients. It’s about offering community-based health programs and preventative health services which are accessible, affordable, culturally sensitive and convenient. Our doors are open to the people of Mattapan and those of surrounding communities.”

Rock the Boat

On April 27, Rock the Boat will honor Dr. Peter Slavin, president of Massachusetts General Hospital, with the Community Pinnacle Award. It recognizes Slavin’s professional dedication to the work of bringing better health care to all. The evening’s dinner, silent auction, award ceremony and dancing will take place at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel.

Thanks to Rock the Boat, MCHC has raised more than $3 million since 1997. Proceeds from the event support Mattapan Community Health Center’s work. To donate or purchase a ticket, call 617-898-9049 or email rtb@matchc.org.

About the Mattapan Community Health Center

Now in its 41st year, the Mattapan Community Health Center moved to its new four-story facility, located in the heart of Mattapan Square, in August of 2012. The first floor houses MCHC’s two tenant partners: Citizens Bank and CVS Pharmacy. Furthermore, the new state-of-the-art building has enabled the center to see more patients and expand its services, including primary care, preventative health services and behavioral health services.

The impact of the health center on the community is already reaping benefits beyond increased access to health care. Specifically, MCHC is already the largest employer in Mattapan, and with the new facility, job creation has increased. In addition, according to the Boston Police Department, there has been a decrease in criminal activity. Thus, the new building is significantly contributing to the Mattapan Renaissance.

For more information about the
Mattapan Community Health Center,
visit www.mattapanchc.org
or call 617-296-0061.