Clinic Sites

Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester

Background

Codman Square Health Center is a federally qualified community health center (FQHC) serving a racially diverse, underserved population in the Dorchester neighborhood. The health center is the second largest in Boston and has been serving the community since the 1970s.  Since its inception, Codman Square Health Center has viewed health within a social context, and the number of innovative partnerships and programs reflects this orientation.  The patient demographics of the clinic are 85% Black, 10% Hispanic or Latinx, and 5% White.  The most common languages other than English are Haitian Creole followed by Spanish.  A second language is not required, making this a great place to practice medicine for residents who do not speak another language but who are interested both in working with underserved patients and in immersing themselves in a vibrant, international, urban community. Trainees will gain experience working in an FQHC which will deepen their understanding of community medicine.  Codman Square is a 25-minute drive from BMC. Parking is available. Preceptors at Codman include primary care physicians with specialty training in HIV, infectious diseases, substance use disorders, and nephrology affording residents the opportunity to manage patients with additional complex issues as part of their primary care panels.   Residents will work with all the internal medicine preceptors which will expose them to a variety of approaches to medicine as they work to develop their own practice style.

 While doing continuity clinic at Codman Square Health Center, residents also have the option to participate in The Codman HIV pathway.  The Codman HIV pathway is a new opportunity for residents at Codman to gain direct training in HIV diagnosis, prevention, and treatment in an FQHC setting and to meet the criteria to sit for the AAHIVM HIV Specialist exam. We are part of the National HIV Residency Pathway Consortium and are growing the pathway now with grant funding from HRSA. Individual and shared patient panels will provide HIV clinical experience as part of primary care training, while completion of the National HIV Curriculum and supplemental didactic sessions will cover other aspects of HIV care.  Additionally, residents will have expanded HIV-related clinical experiences, both infectious (i.e. STIs, HCV, HBV, LTBI) and non-infectious (i.e. addiction, gender-affirming care). Residents will have the opportunity to attend at least one local or national HIV-related conference (with funding provided) and to visit local AIDS services and public health organizations, and they will complete a QI project prior to graduation. 

Crosstown Clinic

Crosstown clinic is the flagship primary care clinic associated with Boston Medical Center, where most patients seen in BMC’s hospital and subspecialty clinics receive primary care. The clinic is on the same campus as BMC’s inpatient hospital and other ambulatory clinics. Crosstown clinic provides primary care services to a panel of over 41,000 patients, and accepts all those who request primary care at BMC, including some of Boston’s most vulnerable patients. The languages most frequently spoken by patients of the clinic are Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean/Portuguese Creole, and Portuguese.

Crosstown clinic is composed of six clinics located on the 5th and 6th floors of the Crosstown Building (known as Suites 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B and 6C). Each suite brings together a team of nurse practitioners, attending MDs, medical assistants, nurses, front desk staff, and a patient navigator to meet the needs of our patients. Crosstown’s primary care services include behavioral health, patient navigation, and clinical pharmacy consultation and comanagement. The clinic also offers integrative medicine services such as acupuncture and chiropractic care within the primary care setting. Finally, Crosstown clinic also
hosts a variety of embedded programs including women’s health, refugee health, office based addiction treatment, injection clinic, Hepatitis C treatment, transitions of care clinic and weight management.
Crosstown is proud to serve as the largest continuity clinic site within the residency, with a group of approximately 100 residents serving as primary care providers in the practice. Our preceptors are all primary care attendings in Crosstown clinic with an enthusiasm for being involved in medical education
and are thrilled to share their expertise with our residents.

Dorchester House Multi-service Center

Background

• From its early beginnings in 1909, when the “Dorchester House” was established, a mission of community education and outreach has been its foundation. Initially, it was created for the purpose of industrial, educational, and charitable work, and the establishment and maintenance of reading rooms, library and social meetings. As the needs of the community evolved, Dorchester House evolved into a leading force for change in the health, economic and social status of our community
• The Dorchester House Multiservice Center, located in the Field’s Corner section of Dorchester serves several culturally diverse neighborhoods. This neighborhood has traditionally been Boston’s ‘melting pot’ due to the proximity to downtown Boston, accessibility to public transportation, and availability of housing. Whether patients need a general check-up, help with a chronic health problem, prenatal care, a range of specialty services, an eye-exam or nutrition counseling, skilled health care practitioners are here to help

Highlights

• Joint Commission-accredited health center recognized for achieving national standards for quality and safety in healthcare delivery and has achieved the highest rank (Level 3) from the National Committee for Quality Assurance
• Provides comprehensive primary care services with Adult, Family, Pediatrics and Women’s Health departments that meet the diverse needs of every member of a family. The health center’s on-site Dental Care, Eye Care and Behavioral Health departments ensure that patients have convenient access to a full range of care
• 300 staff members provide care in multiple languages
• 110,093 patient visits last year
• Approximately 30% of the population is Asian, 14% Hispanic, 29% African American, 18% Caucasian and the remainder being comprised of other ethnic background

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center

Background

• In the late 1960s, an East Boston community group decided to address a critical need for health care. In an area geographically isolated from greater Boston — accessible only by tunnel or bridge — local residents were spending up to two hours traveling via public transportation to receive treatment. Neighbors were living with untreated conditions, pregnant women weren’t getting prenatal care early enough, and important health screenings were unavailable. From needing an ambulance to addressing pollution from Logan airport, it was time for the community to make a significant and proactive change. The community group, and our first board of directors, felt responsible for the district at large; a diverse population with a strong sense of neighborhood and sharing. These founding board members were clear about the type of care the health center would provide to its largely immigrant and economically struggling population
• It is from these grass roots that the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) came into existence. EBNHC opened its doors in 1970, and has been a vital provider of health care services even since. The health center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and includes a large ambulatory care center, Urgent Care during off hours, a pharmacy, a community centered medical research program, and provides several community outreach services such as Elder Service Plan, Project SHINE (a multi-disciplinary HIV management program) and the Education and Training Institute. EBNHC is a non-profit, community owned health care facility

Highlights

• EBNHC is one of the largest and most comprehensive health centers in the nation. The health center provides over 350,000 visits to more than 50,000 individuals
• Delivers 1,000 babies annually and its Pediatrics Department cares for almost every child living in East Boston.
• There are well established Spanish-speaking South and Central American communities and Southeast Asian immigrants who rely on the center for their health care. To better serve the patient population, EBNHC offers interpreter services, patient transportation, and community outreach
• Developed innovative programs to help address the health and well-being of community members with specific needs, including HIV/AIDS, chronic diseases, children with multiple disabilities, and childhood obesity
• In 2013, we were recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Homeand we are an FTCA-deemed facility
• Enhanced services available at EBNHC include an on-site CT scanner; Behavioral Health Urgent Care; Population Health Department; and an extensive Behavior Health Department including Psychiatry and Recovery Services.

South Boston Community Health Center

Background

South Boston Community Health Center (SBCHC) has been serving the South Boston and surrounding communities since 1972. We provide care for 19,000 patients annually across 3 buildings, two of which are located on West Broadway in the heart of South Boston, while the third is nestled on Congress Street among the ever-evolving South Boston Seaport neighborhood.

We are a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, governed by a community-based board of directors. The mission of the Health Center is to provide health care to the entire community while ensuring care to those most in need. Our governing principle is “all who seek care are welcome here.”

 SBCHC is uniquely positioned to care for a wide variety of patients. While many our patients live in the 02127-zip code, our entire patient population spans over 100 different zip codes, ranging from Cape Cod to New Hampshire, which speaks to our patient loyalty. Our providers and support staff also range in distances, with some commuting daily from Worcester and the Cape, and others who have lived in South Boston or “Southie” their whole lives. Moreover, 25% of our employees have worked at SBCHC for 10 years or more.

 SBCHC is deeply embedded in the South Boston community, addressing the needs of a diverse population, including those in low-income and senior housing developments.  At the same time, South Boston is also witnessing incredible population growth due to the number of new residences with high rent, impacting the lives of long-term residents. As a result, housing affordability and stability is a major concern among community residents and patients. As a primary care provider, we recognize how much social determinants of health play a part in the wellbeing of our patients.

 At SBCHC, residents aren’t just doctors; they’re advocates for health equity and social justice. Through hands-on training and unwavering community engagement, the South Boston Community Health Center residency program prepares the next generation of healthcare leaders to tackle the complex challenges of modern medicine with compassion, innovation, and a commitment to serving the underserved.

Highlights

• Our main building, located at 409 West Broadway, is open Monday – Saturday and houses our Adult Medicine, Family Medicine, and Pediatrics departments. This building, as well as our second building at 386 West Broadway, is accessible by the Red Line and #9 bus, or a 20-minute walk from the South Station or JFK commuter rail stations.
• SBCHC provides comprehensive healthcare services, including:
  • Primary care and Urgent care to patients of all ages
  • Radiology, Lab, and Pharmacy services
  • Specialty Care (Dermatology, Cardiology, Dental, Eye Care, Sports Medicine, Gastroenterology, Pulmonary, Podiatry, and Obstetrics/Gynecology)
  • Behavioral Health and Social Services, accessible on every floor of our main building, ensuring immediate support via warm handoffs by primary care attendings and residents.
• Our commitment extends beyond clinical care to include:
  • Financial Counseling services, aiding patients in accessing or renewing health insurance coverage.
  • Population Health and Quality Improvement efforts that assist Attendings and Residents in proactively managing high-risk patients, reducing ED visits, and ensuring timely health screenings.
  • Vaccine clinics for both established patients and the greater community.
  • An on-site Food Pantry for patients who need help with groceries.
  • Support groups around Diabetes Education, New Moms/Breastfeeding, Recovery, and more.
  • Women’s Health-focused clinics for patients wanting to discuss prenatal care, long-acting reversible contraception, breast health, menopause management, and more.
  • Youth Ambassadors teen program, which facilitates workshops (centered around prevalent heath issues in their age group today) and community service opportunities.
  • Patient transportation to and from SBCHC appointments.
• SBCHC proudly serves a patient population that speaks over 30 different languages, with Spanish and Albanian being the two largest groups. To support these populations, SBCHC has four staff interpreters and contracts with a remote interpreter service for all others.
• SBCHC received MHQP Patient Experience Award for Primary Care with:
  • Distinction in Coordinating Patient Care for Pediatrics
  • Distinction in How Well Providers Know Their Patients for Pediatrics
  • Distinction in Office Staff Professional Excellence for Pediatrics
  • Distinction in Patient- Provider Communication for Adult Medicine
• SBCHC is recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a Health Center Quality Leader and by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home with Distinction in Behavioral Health.
• We are an FTCA-deemed facility and a Joint Commission-accredited health center recognized for achieving national standards for quality and safety in healthcare delivery.

VA Roxbury

VA Boston Healthcare System takes care of approximately 39,000 patients in total. It serves all 3 VA missions, i.e., taking care of him “ who borne the battle, his widow and his orphan” as well as being strongly committed to education and research. West Roxbury VA Medical Center serves as a tertiary center for cardiovascular problems, spinal cord in jury and mental health conditions unique to our patient population. We have 8 sites of Primary Care in Boston Area, with 2 campuses ( JP and VA) also serving as a site for resident continuity clinic.

West Roxbury clinic takes care of 5,000 Nation Veterans in a patient-centered team-based approach to care.  Our patient population is ~ 60% older adults with multiple chronic medical conditions, which constitute “bread and butter” of internal medicine, Diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular problems.  In addition, our patient population has a number of unique problems, i.e. exposure to Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune contaminated water, burn pits etc. Our patients frequently suffer from comorbid mental health issues stemming from their Combat experience, such as PTSD, adjustment disorder and anxiety. We have substantial nursing support and on-site presence of behavioral health specialists, pharmacists and social worker allowing warm hand off to the extended care team during primary care visit. We allocate 1 hour for a new patient, and 30 min for a f/up visit.