SOUTH MIAMI CHILDRENS CLINIC INC

THE SOUTH MIAMI CHILDREN'S CLINIC WAS OPENED IN 2007 TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE UNINSURED CHILDREN RESIDING IN SOUTH MIAMI. IT WAS THE VISION OF MR. WAYNE BRACKIN (FORMER CEO OF SOUTH MIAMI HOSPITAL AND PRESIDENT OF THE CLINIC BOARD) TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE TO THE CHILDREN LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY. WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL PHILANTHROPISTS (JIM AND SUSAN CARR, LENNAR FOUNDATION, AND THE UNITED WAY) AND CHARITABLE SUPPORT FROM SOUTH MIAMI HOSPITAL AND BAPTIST CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, THE CLINIC BECAME A REALITY. THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI ALSO DONATED A SPACE TO HOUSE THE CLINIC. THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATIONS UNCOVERED A FEW PROBLEMS. SPECIFICALLY THE DEMOGRAPHIC MAKE UP OF THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY (PRIMARILY AFRICAN AMERICAN) MADE MOST OF THESE CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR SOME TYPE OF HEALTH INSURANCE (MEDICAID OR MEDICAID HMO) WHICH WOULD THEM INELIGIBLE UNDER THE CLINIC'S ORIGINAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE. THE CLINIC WOULD SEE PATIENTS WHEN THEY WERE UNINSURED AND THEN TRY TO GET PATIENTS COVERED BY SOME TYPE OF HEALTH INSURANCE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, PATIENTS WOULD NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CARE AND WOULD NOW HAVE TO SEE THEIR ASSIGNED DOCTORS (MANY OF WHOM WERE TOO FAR FOR PATIENTS TO TRAVEL). THE RESULT IS THAT MANY WOULD NOT SEEK CARE AND STILL USE THE EMERGENCY ROOM AS THEIR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER SINCE IT WAS MORE ACCESSIBLE. IN 2010, THE CLINIC BOARD DECIDED TO EXPAND THE CRITERIA OF THE CLINIC TO INCLUDE MEDICAID WHICH WOULD PROVIDE A SAFETY NET FOR THESE PATIENTS. THEY COULD THEN BE SEEN WHETHER THEY WERE INSURED OR NOT AND HAVE SOME CONTINUITY OF CARE. IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A TRUE "MEDICAL HOME" WHICH IS THE STANDARD THAT THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS (AAP) WOULD LIKE ALL PEDIATRICIANS TO ACHIEVE. THE CLINIC SEES PATIENTS (BIRTH TO 18 YEARS) FOR WELL VISITS, SICK VISITS, SCHOOL AND SPORTS PHYSICALS AND IMMUNIZATIONS. ALL OF THE LAB-WORK FOR UNINSURED PATIENTS IS PROCESSED AT SOUTH MIAMI HOSPITAL AT NO CHARGE UNDER THEIR CHARITY CARE PROGRAM. RADIOLOGY, OUTPATIENT SERVICES, PHARMACEUTICALS AND ER OR INPATIENT VISITS ARE COVERED AS WELL UNDER THIS PROGRAM. THE CLINIC HAS RECRUITED A TALENTED GROUP OF SPECIALTY PHYSICIANS WHO VOLUNTEER FOR THE CLINIC AND SEE PATIENTS EITHER ON SITE OR IN THEIR OFFICES. THE SUCCESS OF THE CLINIC DEPENDS HEAVILY ON THE DEDICATION OF THESE PHYSICIANS. THE CLINIC HAS HAD A PARTNERSHIP WITH FIU AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD HELP PROGRAM THE LAST FEW YEARS, WHICH PROVIDES OUTREACH TO FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES SOCIAL DETERMINATES OF HEALTH LIKE HOUSING, FOOD INSECURITY, AND HEALTHCARE ON A BROADER SCALE. THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN A USEFUL ADJUNCT TO THE CARE PROVIDED BY THE CLINIC TO CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY. THE GOAL MOVING FORWARD IS TO CONTINUE CEMENTING OUR PRESENCE IN SOUTH MIAMI AS A PLACE TO RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL CARE REGARDLESS OF INCOME. SOUTH MIAMI HOSPITAL AND BAPTIST HEALTH ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING US ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. WE ARE ONE OF FIVE FREE CLINICS, THAT THEY CURRENTLY SUPPORT