e-newsletter
    May 2018

(603) 626-9500
 
          
Manchester Community Health Center,
Child Health Services at MCHC,
and the West Side Neighborhood Health Center
Greetings!

May has been a busy month at MCHC! We are continually humbled by the opportunity afforded us to support the health and well-being of our patients. Please take a few moments to read about some of our programs and recent events.
THANKS FOR MAKING #MORNINGMATTERS18 A SUCCESS!
Top: Dr. Susan Lynch gives the keynote address
Middle: Patient speaker, Sushila Chhetri (left) with Child Health Services at MCHC pediatrician, Dr. Lisa DiBrigida (right)
Bottom: Attendees listen to the address by Dr. Susan Lynch
Event photography by Jaysan Photography
Thank you to everyone who attended the 11 th Annual Morning Matters Breakfast!

This year's benefit was held on May 17, 2018, at the Manchester Downtown Hotel. Hundreds of business, nonprofit, and community leaders came out to support children’s health care and listen to our amazing speakers.

Keynote Speaker Dr. Susan Lynch, a pediatrician and former First Lady of New Hampshire, highlighted the efforts of local organizations like Child Health Services at MCHC to combat childhood obesity in Greater Manchester.

Morning Matters attendees also heard the heartfelt story of Sushila Chhetri, the mother of four patients at Child Health Services at MCHC. Chhetri shared her experience immigrating as a refugee, from Nepal to the United States, to find better health care for her daughter living with disabilities. She highlighted the critical linkage between MCHC's primary care and support services that helped her family.

The Morning Matters Breakfast is MCHC’s largest fundraiser of the year. This year Dr. Sol Rockenmacher and Dr. Lisa DiBrigida spoke about the "melting pot" of services assisting any child in need regardless of a family's ability to pay, and invited attendees to support Child Health Services at MCHC. This year's event is estimated to have raise nearly $65,000 for uncompensated health care for children and their families. 
We sincerely thank attendees, sponsors, and advertisers for their generosity. A special thank you to our Morning Matters committee members Elizabeth Ashooh, Helen Cormier, Joanne Gustafson and chairperson, Judith Jolton for all their hard work making this event possible. If you haven't yet made a gift, please consider giving online today.
EYE CARE CENTER NOW OPEN AT MCHC
MCHC is proud to announce the opening of the Eye Care Center at MCHC. This new vision center will provide eye exams, prescriptions for eyeglasses, diagnosis and treatment for eye diseases, and referrals to ophthalmology partners for complex eye care for MCHC patients. This new service builds on our mission to offer high-quality primary health care and wraparound services to meet the needs of our community and eliminate health disparities.

The Eye Care Center at MCHC is a joint partnership with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS University) and will host clinical rotations of fourth-year optometry students.
Dr. Gerald Astorino, Director of the Eye Care Center at MCHC
Dr. Gerald Astorino has been appointed as the Director of the Eye Care Center at MCHC. As an optometrist with over 20 years' experience serving patients in Manchester, most recently at MCHC providing dilated retina exams to diabetic patients, Dr. Astorino will oversee the clinical rotation students and support the growth and development of the eye care center to serve MCHC patients ages five and older.

The Eye Care Center at MCHC is located at 1245 Elm Street, in the Child Health Services at MCHC building. A dedication ceremony will be held in June.
MOTHER OF SPECIAL MEDICAL PROGRAM'S PATIENT RECEIVES UNSUNG HERO AWARD
We are always in awe of the resiliency and strength of our patients.

Earlier this year, Delsuita Giraldo, a single mother working closely with the Care Coordination Program at Child Health Services, received the Unsung Hero Award presented by the New Hampshire Children's Trust. 

Delsuita is originally from Columbia and moved to the United States over 10 years ago. Since arriving in the United States, she has worked tirelessly to provide for her three daughters, one of whom is living with disabilities. She has also advanced her own education, becoming an LNA.

Mishelle Bortnik, a Care Coordinator in the Special Medical Programs at Child Health Services at MCHC, has worked closely with Delsuita for over six years and has seen her face adversity with strength and grace. 
Delsuita (far right back) pictured with Governor Chris Sununu (far left) and her three daughters receiving the Unsung Hero award
Bortnik is inspired by Delsuita's determination and drive. "I am truly honored to know Delsuita," said Bortnik. "She embodies what it means to be a strong, caring, independent, and committed mother." Congratulations Delsuita!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Karen Beals stocks the food pantry shelves after picking up food from the NH Food Bank.
Our volunteers play an important role in supporting our extensive wraparound services and we appreciate their dedication.

Meet Karen Beals! Karen is a food pantry volunteer at Child Health Services at MCHC.
Twice a month she visits the NH Food Bank and does the shopping and stocking of the food pantry shelves at Child Health Services at MCHC.

"I was looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity, and I felt that I aligned well with the mission of Child Health Services at MCHC,” said Karen. “I love shopping the NH Food Bank floor and finding special treats to put on shelves of the pantries for families in need.”
Thank you, Karen, and all our volunteers who give their time and energy to support the health and well being of all our patients.
THANK YOU TO OUR MORNING MATTERS SPONSORS
The 11th Annual Morning Matters Breakfast would not have been possible without our wonderful sponsors!
Keynote Speaker Sponsor
Program Book Sponsors
Media Sponsor
Advocate Sponsors
Central Paper Products Co., Clark Insurance, Eldridge Investment Advisors, Inc., Elliot Health System, Lavallee/Brensinger Architects Fund, Lindner Dental Associates P.C., MCPHS University, Southern New Hampshire University, Well Sense Health Plan

Friends of MCHC
Anagnost Investments Inc, Associated Grocers of New England, Bank of America, Bob's Discount Furniture, Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, Catholic Medical Center, Citizens Bank, The Crown Tavern & Hanover Street Chophouse, Geneia LLC, Goodwin Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Hage Hodes P.A., Harvey Construction Corporation, Manchester Community College, The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, Mutual of America, Retina Vision Center, SilverTech, St. Mary's Bank, The River - WXRV
WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
Manchester Community Health Center is grateful for all the support we receive from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Many of the key wraparound services that keep our patients healthy -- like transportation, interpretation, and case management -- depend on the generosity of the community to continue. Thank you!
THE FINE PRINT
This project is supported in part by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

MCHC receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.
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