The MDPH Community Health Equity Survey is an opportunity for residents to share their experiences and priorities to help shape the future of health care in the Commonwealth. The information you share will help MDPH and community partners determine how best to allocate funding, improve programming, and develop policies to address health inequities.
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/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.png00codman/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.pngcodman2023-01-23 12:29:452023-04-06 13:51:46Codman’s 2022 Year in Review
Since cases of COVID-19 feel dramatically in the aftermath of the Delta and Omicron variants, visits at Codman’s offsite COVID-19 testing facility at Russell Auditorium (70 Talbot Ave., Dorchester) decreased, too. The site closed on Thursday, March 31 at noon.
Patients and community members looking for a COVID-19 test can visit Codman’s Urgent Care department Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm by appointment. We will accept walk-ins if the schedule allows. Below, see the timeline of Russell Auditorium’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Codman’s Offsite Testing Site Opens
Codman opened Russell Auditorium as a COVID-19 testing site in November of 2020 when COVID-19 cases were spiking, and there was still not yet a vaccine. The new offsite facility provided a place where patients and staff could be tested quickly, easily, and conveniently in a socially distanced setting, while freeing up the health center to deliver the primary care and other services that patients and community need.
Planning and launching an offsite testing quickly was a challenge. Clinical staff needed to create protocols. Human Resources needed to staff the facility in an extremely tight labor market. Building Services staff had to make all the physical accommodations to turn a function hall into a medical facility. Communications needed to quickly get the word out to patients and community members about the new site.
Russell quickly became an invaluable community resource where people could go when they were sick, travelling, needed testing for school and work, and more. The numbers in the below chart show the value of the resource.
Russell Auditorium Closes then Re-Opens
In late June of 2020, COVID-19 rates were declining. People were starting to shed their masks and get together, and the pandemic seemed to be receding in our rear-view mirror. Testing demand declined sharply to the point that we closed Russell Auditorium for COVID-19 testing and moved it back to Urgent Care.
Enter the Delta variant, which became the dominant strain of COVID-19 in August 2020. The Health Center started to become full with people seeking out testing, so Codman re-opened Russell Auditorium for COVID-19 testing.
Russell Becomes Community Testing and Vaccination Center
By late December of 2020, the FDA had approved a vaccination for COVID-19, and Codman partnered with Boston Medical Center to open high-volume COVID-19 vaccination site, also at Russell Auditorium, and the building became a COVID-19 testing and vaccination facility.
Throughout 2020 and the first few months of 2021, the community came to see Russell Auditorium as the go-to site for COVID-19 testing and vaccines. Demand for vaccinations gradually decreased as people got their shots, and many additional sites opened up to provide more. In February, 2022, BMC closed its vaccination site and Codman followed the next month and closed its testing site there.
As valuable as the Russell Auditorium has been in addressing COVID-19, we hope that pandemic infections do not increase enough to necessitate a need to open the site again.
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In a groundbreaking partnership with three other health centers and four local organizations, Codman created BostonisPrEPared.com to promote the availability of PrEP, a medication that helps prevent HIV. The partnership marks the first time in Boston that health centers have combined resources to promote HIV prevention options in Boston.
PrEP was first approved in 2012 as a medication that, when taken correctly, can reduce a person’s chance of contracting HIV by up to 99%. While its existence has contributed greatly to the decline in new HIV diagnosis rates in cities across America, its uptake has been slower than expected in Boston. To encourage more PrEP usage the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and some other organizations awarded grants to several health centers and agencies to promote PrEP usage.
The campaign was created after HIV leaders at Codman Square Health Center realized that health centers and agencies could make more of a public health impact if we pooled our resources with each other to promote the availability of PrEP. The campaign was designed with input from consumers and the collaborating organizations and coordination with MDPH.
The campaign features beautiful photos of several community members who talk about why they take PrEP. It also features a community member who is HIV positive who talks about what keeping up with his medication means to him. The photos were used in ads for BostonisPrEPared.com and posted on buses, train stations, billboards, and even wrapped subway cars.
Participating Health Centers
Codman Square Health Center
DotHouse Health
Harbor Health
Mattapan Community Health Center
East Boston Neighborhood Community Health Center
Participating local agencies
New England AIDS Education and Training Center
Justice Resource Institute
Multicultural AIDS Coalition (MAC)
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/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.png00codman/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.pngcodman2022-02-09 09:08:382022-02-18 07:48:40Join Codman’s Fun and Free February Vacation Vax Clinic
Dr. Renee Crichlow, Codman’s Chief Medical Officer, joined the team in February of 2020. Dr. Crichlow was quickly recognized in Boston media as an expert in medicine, health policy, and health equity. She has has been a guest on Boston Public Radio three times since she started her tenure at Codman
https://www.codman.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Renee-Crichlow-e1614974487687.jpg231250codman/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.pngcodman2022-01-30 13:19:342023-08-30 16:53:00Dr. Crichlow, CMO, Speaks on Boston Public Radio
/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.png00codman/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.pngcodman2021-11-05 08:29:022022-02-21 11:42:46Come on Down to Our COVID-19 Family Vaccine Clinics
/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.png00codman/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.pngcodman2021-10-21 09:59:582021-10-21 09:59:58Codman Hosts First Annual Women’s Health Fair
/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.png00codman/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.pngcodman2021-07-01 14:59:412021-09-24 15:50:09Codman Launches We Are Here: Community Campaign
Bishop John Borders of Morning Star Baptist Church, Greater Boston Host Jim Braude, and Sandra Cotterell on the GBH show “Greater Boston.”
As the news about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Massachusetts focused on inequities in availability, Community Health Centers and Boston Medical Center (BMC) were in the process of planning and implementing large-scale vaccination clinics for Boston’s communities of color. GBH TV, which has been covering the vaccine rollout, invited community leaders, including Sandra Cotterell, Codman’s CEO, to speak about the situation.
Sandra appeared on the program, Greater Boston, on March 2 with host Jim Braude and fellow community leader Bishop John Borders, III to discuss the vaccine rollout, as well as the vaccination clinics that Boston Medical Center opened in Boston neighborhoods.
The show reported that while 25% of Boston residents are Black, only 18% had received their first vaccine doses. Meanwhile, Hispanics make up 20% of the cities population and only 9% had received their first dose. Meanwhile, Whites represent 44% of Boston and 47% have received their first vaccine dose.
Cotterell and Bishop Borders spoke proudly about opening up the sites in Mattapan and Dorchester. Codman and BMC offers the vaccine at Russell Auditorium at 70 Talbot Avenue, and BMC’s site with Mattapan Community Health Center is at Morning Star Baptist Church at 1257 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan.
The importance of these vaccines in Boston’s hardest hit neighborhoods cannot be overstated, and is truly the key to getting to the end of this pandemic. “The quicker we get people vaccinated, the sooner we are heading in the right direction,” Cotterell explained. Borders added:”To be part of the healing process is very important.”
/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.png00codman/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo.pngcodman2021-03-10 10:39:242021-03-22 12:38:37Codman CEO Sandra Cotterell Appears on ‘Greater Boston’
-HIV/STI Screening: Monday – Friday 10 am – 3:30 pm
-PrEP/PEP Navigation: Monday – Friday 10 am – 3:30 pm
-COVID-19 Vaccination: Tuesday & Thursday 10 am – 3 pm
-Substance use screening and referral: Monday – Friday 10 am – 3:30 pm
157 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA – WCAC (Women Connecting Affecting Change)
-HIV/STI Screening: Monday – Friday 10 am – 3:30 pm
-PrEP/PEP Navigation: Monday – Friday 10 am – 3:30 pm
-COVID-19 Testing: Monday & Wednesday 11 am – 3 pm
-Substance Use Screening and Referral: Monday – Friday 10 am – 3:30 pm
Services offered: MAC offers testing for HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections at no cost to clients. We provide prevention counseling and education, navigation to medical care if needed, and access to PrEP. A wide range of services for People Living with HIV are available, including peer support, case management, and access to pharmacy delivery or pick-up.
-HIV/STI screening
-HIV/HCV Nonmedical Case Management
-HIV Health Education/Risk Reduction
-COVID-19 PCR Testing
-COVID-19 Vaccination
-Health System Navigation
Insurance: Services provided at no cost to clients. Most insurances accepted patients without insurance can still be seen.
Loving our Trans Kids
Are you the parent of a Trans child?
This support group aims to provide parental support. We’ll tackle questions about gender development, navigating the transition process, developing healthy and respectful communication, and advocating for your child.
Who: Parents of Trans, non-binary, and gender-questioning individuals
Where: Online via Zoom (Call or email for the Zoom link)
Are you part of the LGBTQ+ community? Are you a community ally? Are you age 14 – 19?
Codman Square Health Center’s LGBTQ+ support group offers youth a safe space where you can express your feelings and thoughts, and create ideas and projects that you feel passionate about.
Where: Codman Square Health Center (637 Washington St., Dorchester), 3rd Floor Multi-purpose Room.
Program:Project SHINE: HIV/STI Testing & Treatment Coordination, PrEP Navigation, Community-based Prevention, HIV Medical Care Coordination, Linkage and Retention, Medical Case Management, Behavioral Health
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm. Testing by appointment only on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Services offered:Project SHINE offers confidential HIV/STI testing and treatment. Prescribe PrEP and provide navigation. Provide HIV medical care, medical case management, linkage to care, peer support and behavioral health to patients who test positive for HIV.
Insurance: HIV/STI testing is free for all patients with or without insurance. The person does not need to be a patient of EBNHC for HIV/STI testing at Project SHINE. Uninsured patients who want to take PrEP or test positive for HIV will be helped in accessing Masshealth/Healthconnector. Uninsured patients that test positive for a bacterial STI can be linked to BMC or MGH for treatment. EBNHC accepts several insurances. Patients interested in PrEP at EBNHC/Project SHINE and have primary care elsewhere are encouraged to check with their insurance provider if EBNHC/Project SHINE is in network and if the patient will need a referral from their PCP (for those with HMOs).
Please note that times for the clinic are subject to change.
Walk-in appointments are accepted and will be seen the next available time slot that the center can offer.
Type of appointments: Virtual, Walk-in, Scheduled appointments
Testing Services: PrEP
PEP
Hep C/Hep B
HIV
STD
Plan B
Additional Services: Safety planning
Sexual Health Education
Transgender Health Care Safety Planning
Peer Groups
Free condoms, lube, and sexual health supplies
HIV Case Management
Future Services: Mobile Testing
Outreach
Home Testing Kits
Sexual Health Chat with Zariah (teens and young adults)
Living with HIV Peer Connect
Harm Reduction
Canned Food Bags/Pantry
HIV Wellness Group
Insurance: We accept most health insurance, including the following:
Aetna
BMC Health Net
BMC-BACO -Community Alliance
MassHealth limited/basic and Standard
Harvard Pilgrim
Health Safety Net
Tufts
Tufts Together
United Health Plan
Medicare
Cigna
BlueCross BlueShield
Unicare
AARP
Senior Whole Health
Health Plans
Children Medical Security Plan
Allways-NHP
Please contact us if you have insurance that is not listed above.
DotHouse Health
1353 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02122
We Keep You Well
Testing: Patients can receive HIV testing during routine visits to their primary care provider. You can also be tested on a walk-in basis in our Urgent Care Department which is open 7 days a week. You should receive your results within 30-45 minutes.
HIV testing is billed to your insurance. If you are uninsured, our financial counselors will help you apply for insurance or explore other options.
HIV PrEP: We offer education, counseling, and medication management to prevent HIV infection to those at risk. DotHouse primary care patients can speak with their primary care provider if they’re interested in PrEP. Urgent care patients who do not have a primary care provider can speak to their attending provider, who will help them determine options, including establishing care with us.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI): DHH provides comprehensive care for patients at risk or diagnosed with STIs. Care can be accessed in primary care or at our urgent care center.
HIV treatment and supportive services: People living with HIV can access comprehensive HIV treatment and services with the DotHouse infectious disease team. Services include case management assistance with insurance, treatment adherence, risk reduction, income and food support, housing, legal issues, and referrals to psychosocial services.
Contact:
To schedule an appointment, please call the Appointments Line at 617-740-2320.
For information on testing services, please call 617-288-3230 and ask to be connected to the Urgent Care Reception Desk.
For information about treatment and case management for people living with HIV, please call 617-740-2584.
Location: 637 Washington St., Dorchester, MA 02124
Hours:
Monday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday: 8:30 am – 7 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (Express only)
Thursday: 8:30 am – 4 pm; 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Friday: 1 -5 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 1 pm
Services offered: The X-Clinic offers patients counseling, testing, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Patients can access services through telehealth or in-person (walk-in or appointment). We are LGBTQ+ friendly, and have the newest and fastest testing equipment. We are proud to be a safe space, culturally competent, and have multi-lingual staff. The X-Clinic can get you your STI test results on your phone in as little as a few hours, though some results can take up to a couple of days. The X-Clinic offers: Same-day PrEP, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Emergency Contraception/Plan B, testing for teenagers (visits and results are completely confidential), testing and treatment regardless of citizenship status, on-site or at-home HIV tests.
Insurance: The X-Clinic accepts all insurances. If you do not have insurance, Codman can help you apply for health insurance for you and your family. Visit our website or call 617-822-8162.
Harbor Health
Name of programs: Recovery services THRIVE Clinic PrEP Navigation
PrEP/PEP for primary care patients
HIV treatment, care, and support
Contact information: HIV Services website
Recovery services: 617-282-3200
THRIVE Clinic: 617-533-2228
PrEP Navigation: 617-533-2319
HIV treatment, care, support: 617-533-2318
Hours and locations: Please visit our website or call for up-to-date hours.
Services offered: At Harbor Health, we offer HIV prevention, treatment, and support services to make sure everyone can get the care they need. Our THRIVE clinic offers free and confidential rapid testing, risk counseling and prevention education, and free safer sex supplies. Our PrEP Navigation services are free and open to anyone who needs assistance connecting to PrEP. We also offer care, treatment, and support services to help people living with HIV lead a healthy life.
Insurance: Harbor Health serves everyone, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. You do not have to have insurance to receive care and support services. Our HIV Rapid Testing and PrEP Navigation Services are offered free of charge and no insurance is required. For medical services, we accept most insurances including MassHealth and Health Safety Net. We can help you apply for insurance and programs to help with the cost of a prescription. We also offer a sliding fee scale for services and discounts based on income and family size.
New England AIDS Education & Training Center Program
The New England AIDS Education and Training Center (NEAETC) provides HIV/AIDS education, consultation, technical assistance, and resource materials to health care professionals. The MA Regional Partner (MARP) is a member of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Steering Committee, working with stakeholders in Suffolk County to support workforce capacity development and provide technical assistance. The MARP has also been awarded additional funding to increase screening, prescribing, and management of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) among, but not limited to, People Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) and Trans/Non-Binary individuals, as well as overall expansion of same-day PrEP/nPEP access in Suffolk County.
Care that Fits You is an education and awareness initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (MDPH) Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS). The initiative is designed to inform gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men about the most effective HIV prevention options as well as related health topics and services. This website features current information about gay men’s health and includes links to medical and community resources. Learn more about MDPH.
JRI Health | Justice Resource Institute | Boston GLASS
Contact: Text or call 978-604-6937 to set up an appointment for HIV/STI testing and PrEP. Find us on Instragram @boston_glass
Location: 555 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02135
Hours: Appointments available Monday-Friday 10 am – 6 pm
Services offered: Boston GLASS is a program of JRI Health offering a dynamic, welcoming drop-in center for LGBTQ+ Youth of Color ages 13-29 to receive supportive social and clinical services that cultivate a sense of belonging. The program serves LGBTQ+ Youth of Color who are at risk for HIV/STIs, substance use, homelessness, violence, commercial sexual exploitation, family disruption and lack of access to healthcare.
Insurance: Insurance accepted, but not required (all testing and PrEP services are free)