Photo by Matt Schorr
The Lentz Public Health Center hosted the official launch of My HealthCare Home.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. The 2015 Census Bureau estimated that approximately 15 percent of Nashvillians, or 100,000 people,are without health insurance. Of those, only about half know of safety net clinics where they can go for affordable health care, according to research by the Safety Net Consortium of Middle Tennessee (SNCMT).
On April 20, 2017, the SNCMT and the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance partnered to launch My HealthCare Home, a web-based service linking Middle Tennessee’s uninsured and underinsured to affordable, accessible, quality healthcare through the SNCMT’s clinic partners.
“My HealthCare Home brings together important health connection information that is easily accessible by computer, smartphone or other handheld devices,” Carol Westlake, Board Chair of the SNCMT, said. “The SNCMT’s hope is to make quality, affordable healthcare as easy to find as the closest grocery or home improvement store.”
MVA Executive Director Consuelo H. Wilkins, MD, MSCI agreed. “This site will provide access and visibility to community health centers, which are a tremendous resource that many do not realize are available,” she commented.
The website, myhchtn.org, includes over 50 not-for-profit, community-based clinics in Nashville and the surrounding area. It allows users to find a clinic near them that is accessible and meets their needs. The services provided by those clinics range from basic primary care to chronic disease management to dental to behavioral health services.
The launch took place at the Lentz Public Health Center and included a hands-on demonstration in front of dozens of clinic providers, patients and community members.
To access the My HealthCare Home website go to www.MyHCHTN.org. More information is also available at the following social media accounts:
About the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance
Founded in 1999, the Alliance bridges the institutions of Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Its mission is to enrich learning and advance clinical research in three primary areas -- community engagement, interprofessional education and research -- by developing and supporting mutually beneficial partnerships between Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the communities they serve. Through community engagement, the Alliance serves a large community of stakeholders including surrounding universities and colleges, community organizations, faith-based outlets and community health centers. Its interprofessional education enhances students' interdisciplinary understanding and improves patient outcomes through integrated care. The research conducted provides access to experienced grant writers and materials supporting the grant application process and facilitates grant-writing workshops.