“Trust is not merely a byproduct of our relationships. It is a cornerstone that fosters understanding, collaboration, and health outcomes that truly reflect the needs of our community.” |
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Dear Friends,
My head is still whirling with the events and accomplishments of the final months of 2024, among them the 2024 Annual Report , in which I reflect on how significant a role our guiding principle of trust plays within our community. At Whittier Street Health Center, we remain committed to addressing social determinants of health by providing comprehensive social service programs focused on barriers to health such as food insecurity and lack of transportation to ensure the well-being of our community. As we move forward toward our vision of eliminating health care inequities, closing gaps in life expectancy and in pursuit of social justice, we do so with trust behind us, guiding our research, our programs and our plans for the future. Please read on to find out more about the exciting ways we’re building on the trust of our patients and creating equitable access to high quality healthcare and social services every day.
| Advancing Impact: The Center for Health Equity Research at Whittier Street Health Center | |
The goal of Whittier Street Health Center’s Health Equity Research Center is to facilitate improvements in health care delivery and health outcomes in order to eliminate health disparities using tools that empower communities to develop, implement and evaluate health programs through research, education, training, and advocacy and utilizing evidence-based data and outcomes to inform policy changes, funding opportunities, program implementation and practices.
We are making good progress in the implementation of our goals and launched several projects in 2024:
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Accelerated Breast Cancer Screening Program | |
This Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA) funded grant focuses on increasing the uptake and accessibility of breast cancer screening for individuals receiving care at Whittier Street Health Center (WSHC). The program has two main components: the mammogram and genetic breast cancer screening prongs.
The genetic breast cancer screening component is new and offers genetic testing, prioritizing BRCA 1 and 2 genes, to women at risk for breast cancer based on their family history. This service is provided at no cost to our patients.
In the mammogram component, the emphasis is on ensuring that every woman at Whittier who is due for a routine mammogram has timely access to services. This is achieved in collaboration with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), which provides screening mammography services directly at WSHC. Offering the service onsite eliminates financial burdens related to transportation, lack of insurance and co-payments.
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This grant, funded by EXACT Sciences, aims to improve and increase the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer among qualifying individuals.
The grant will support patient navigation services, promote non-invasive colorectal cancer screening options, and educate individuals on nutritional practices scientifically proven to reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
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Kidney Disease Clinical Research Study: The focus of this study is to screen and engage patients who meet the study criteria and to address the high rates of kidney disease in the Black community. Whittier plays a key role in participant screening and implementing the study-related procedures, recruitment, patient education and referrals. | |
Empowering Health at Home: Remote Monitoring for Better Health Outcomes | |
The Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Program is available to individuals with uncontrolled diabetes (defined as an HbA1c >8.5%) and those with uncontrolled hypertension (defined as three consecutive blood pressure readings >135/80 mmHg). The program aims to help patients gain control over their conditions by tracking their vital signs at home using free monitoring equipment. The program will soon expand to include other diagnoses, such as heart failure and COPD. Currently, 81 patients are actively enrolled in the Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program. | |
The PCORI Study at Whittier is a Randomized Controlled Comparative Effectiveness Trial in collaboration with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Muslim Women’s Institute of Research and Development (based in New York). The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of adapted versions of Sister-to-Sister which is an individual intervention versus SISTA (Sisters Informing Sisters About Topics On AIDS) which is a group level intervention on increasing condom use and PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) uptake among African‐born women who are between 18-45 years old, fluent in English or French. | |
Deepening Connections: Whittier Street Health Center’s Focus on Community Engagement | |
Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – Whittier’s annual MLK Day of Service | Our January 16th, 2025 annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Whittier Street Health Center was a resounding success! In the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy of community care and service, we were honored to distribute more than 800 winter coats and accessories to patients in need. Let’s continue to honor Dr. King’s vision by uplifting and supporting one another throughout the year. | |
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Our Clean Teeth for Toys event on December 18th brought smiles to 500 children from newborn to 17. Children were provided with a new, unwrapped toy of their choosing. While there, many parents were encouraged to schedule Oral Health services to continue those healthy smiles after the holidays. It was the perfect blend of holiday cheer and health!
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Holiday Celebration for Seniors | |
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The holiday season is a time for joy, family and togetherness, but it can also be a challenging period for many older adults. Celebrating with elderly family members or neighbors gives a sense of belonging and eases feelings of isolation, which can often lead to depression for older adults. Whittier Street Health Center hosted its annual Senior Holiday Celebration with more than 250 seniors at the event on December 13th, offering a joy-filled and fun celebration. We shared presents, stories, sang carols, enjoyed a delicious lunch and speakers provided pertinent health education to empower our senior population.
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World AIDS Day Celebration | Thank you to our Infectious Diseases and Special Populations team for hosting our annual Whittier Street Health Center World AIDS Day Celebration on Tuesday, December 3. In addition to hearing from inspiring guest speakers and patients, the 80 program attendees were provided HIV prevention, testing and treatment resources. The event concluded with a balloon release ceremony honoring the lives lost to the disease and in celebration of resilience. Together, we are working towards an AIDS-free future! | |
Whittier’s Food Pantry and Turkey Giveaway: A Continued Commitment to Community Nutrition | |
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Whittier continues to lead the charge against food insecurity in Greater Boston communities through its Food Pantry and annual Holiday Turkey Giveaway. These initiatives form part of Whittier’s integrated approach to healthcare, addressing not only medical needs but also the social determinants of health that significantly impact community well-being. Central to our efforts is our Food Pantry, which launched in 2018 to provide a reliable source of nutritious food for patients and community members in need. The Food Pantry serves approximately 500 households monthly with an average distribution of 1,500 food bags each month that meet USDA standards and include culturally sensitive options.
Complementing the year-round Food Pantry, Whittier hosts an annual Holiday Turkey Giveaway program, addressing food insecurity for families during the Thanksgiving season. This year's event, held over two days on November 20th and 21st, served over 500 patients and underscored Whittier’s commitment to community health and well-being.
As I said to those who were involved, "Our Food Pantry and Turkey Giveaway programs are more than just food distribution initiatives. They are integral components of our comprehensive care model, addressing the critical link between nutrition and overall health in our community”
“By providing consistent access to nutritious food, we're not just alleviating hunger – we're preventing chronic diseases and improving long-term health outcomes for our patients and community members."
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Whittier’s Halloween family-friendly trick or trick event had 500 participants in attendance was one of several October community engagement efforts in October. Additionally, we held a series of workshops dedicated to bringing awareness to the different forms of domestic violence, including resource table sand educational sessions open to the community. | |
Raising Awareness for Breast Cancer | |
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Whittier marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a community event on October 24th at which Whittier staff highlighted the symptoms and resources available for early detection of the disease.
We have a long-standing partnership with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to increase breast cancer screening rates and to address the gaps in care that studies have shown exist with our community. Whittier and Dana-Farber are working with the Boston Breast Cancer Equity Coalition to reduce delays and interruptions in care in Boston.
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Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Inspires the Community | |
On October 18th, Whittier celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a keynote speech by Yuisa Pérez, Chief People Officer of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Ms. Pérez is a visionary leader with over 20 years of transformative experience in human resources, K-12 education, and community advocacy. She has passionately dedicated her life to creating spaces where individuals and communities can not only realize, but exceed their potential.
This vibrant event honored culture, community and the contributions of Hispanic leaders.
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Listening to Our Community: 2024 Needs Assessment Findings | |
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Our 2024 Community Needs Assessment, administered from April through August, were conducted by outreach staff in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. The survey assesses individual experience, including utilization and barriers to access, pertaining to healthcare and other health-related issues in the community. Over 2,100 community residents participated in the 2024 survey.
Among our findings, barriers to health included challenges such as: Waiting for an Appointment, Lack of Transportation and Language Barriers. The three most important health issues for respondents were Mental Health, Diabetes and issues ranging from Dental Health to High Blood Pressure, while the three most important unhealthy behaviors noted in the community were Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence and Angry Behavior or Violence.
In addition to sharing the findings with staff, Whittier’s Patient Advisory Council and the Board, we conducted an interactive Community Listening Session on October 13th, 2024. The findings from the survey and from the Community Listening Session will inform our program development and strategic priorities in 2025.
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Supporting Our Community: Raising Funds for Whittier | |
Women for Whittier Holiday Tea | |
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Thank you to everyone who helped make our annual Women for Whittier Holiday Tea and Talk event a success on December 11th, including Presenting Sponsors - Elaine Ullian, Eversource Energy and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Our 2024 Women for Whittier Champions Alicia Wedderburn, Elaine Ullian, Enna Jimenez, Shirley Leung and Theresa Hopkins-Staten, Esq. and our Keynote Speaker Goldie Taylor were an inspiration for everyone who attended. We are especially grateful to the members of our Women for Whittier group who have supported our programs to address health equity, social issues and the economic gaps that impact the health of vulnerable women and children since the inception of this program in 2009. Each of them deserves recognition as accomplished women leaders who have succeeded in their own rights and for their meaningful contributions to the communities they serve.
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Embracing Unity: Employees Celebrate Diversity | |
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Diversity is at the foundation of our efforts to address health equity, social justice and the economic inequities affecting the lives of our diverse patients. This year, we once again hosted our annual Diversity Luncheon to celebrate Whittier’s many and various cultures and to share the rich variety of cuisines of our colleagues from more than 25 different countries. Honoring employees with Years of Service awards are also part of this annual tradition. This year, 22 staff were recognized for milestone years of service, ranging from 5 years to 35 years.
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News and Notes: Important Updates and Announcements | |
Top of the List for Massachusetts’ Women-Led Businesses | |
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Whittier Street Health Center was named a Top 100 Woman-Led Business in Massachusetts for the 11th consecutive year, ranking number 46 on the list. We are grateful to our female employees and male allies who have contributed their talents and efforts in making Whittier a nationally-recognized model for Community-Based Health Care and Social Services.
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Join Us!
2025 Black History Month Celebration
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Please join us Thursday, February 6th 12:00pm – 2:00pm!
Join us and keynote speaker
Michelle Courton Brown
Chief Talent Equity Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield MA
February 6, 2025 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm | WSHC
1290 Tremont Street
Roxbury, MA 02120
2nd Floor,
Community Engagement Room
To RSVP, contact our Development Office at events@wshc.org
or call 617-989-3221.
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Please save the date of April 3rd 2024
Toast of Kevin B. Churchwell, MD, President and CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital
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Frederica Williams
President and CEO
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