Free Covid-19 Testing in Central Square as City Introduces Mobile Option

Boston's COVID-19 mobile testing site, in partnership with the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, will now be offering COVID-19 testing in East Boston's Central Square. This COVID-19 testing initiative will be available starting tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1 to Saturday, September 12 on Border Street at Liberty Plaza Shopping Center in East Boston. Testing will be available at no cost for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. No appointment is needed but registration is required. To pre-register, please call 617-568-4500.

"Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been dedicated to monitoring and making decisions based on the latest COVID-19 data. With the increase in cases in East Boston, we are expanding testing access there to ensure that all residents can get tested," said Mayor Walsh. "Thank you to the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center for your continued partnership in helping Bostonians stay safe and healthy."

The dates and hours of operation at Central Square Park in East Boston are: 

Tuesday, September 1st: 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 2nd: 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 3rd - Friday, September 4th: 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 

Saturday, September 5th: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 8th: 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 9th: 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 10th - Friday, September 11th: 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 

Saturday, September 12th: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

This mobile site testing initiative was announced by Mayor Walsh back in May as a way to help fill any gaps in testing availability, prioritizing neighborhoods and populations that need dedicated testing efforts to create equitable access to testing. The site has previously been located in Roxbury, Allston, South Boston and Mattapan. In Mattapan, there were 927 COVID-19 tests ordered. Of 798 results received, less than 2.2% tested positive for COVID-19.

"East Boston has seen an alarming rise in COVID-19 rates and its critical that we take
immediate actions to stop the spread of the virus," said East Boston Neighborhood Health Center president and CEO Manny Lopes. "Testing is one of the most important infectious disease control tools in our arsenal and we are glad to be partnering with the City of Boston to provide pop-up testing sites throughout the city."

As of August 24th, 2020, East Boston is experiencing a 10.8% average positive test rate for the current week compared to the citywide average positive test rate at 2.3%. Bringing the mobile testing team is one step the City of Boston is taking to address the increase in the positivity rate in the neighborhood. The City is in communication with the State about finding temporary isolation housing so people can quarantine away from their families if they test positive for COVID-19. 

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) has been mobilizing teams to provide care kits, information, and education to residents and businesses using the languages spoken in the neighborhood, including Spanish. They are distributing information at MBTA stations and key intersections, as well as neighborhood parks where people gather to play sports. Cross-departmental teams in the City of Boston, elected officials who represent the neighborhood, medical and social service providers in the community, union leaders who represent working people in the neighborhood, and Church officials and clergy have helped to get the message out.

In addition to the City's mobile testing sites, COVID-19 testing is available at over 20 locations across the city. Mobile testing sites also continue to be available at select locations, prioritizing neighborhoods and populations that need dedicated testing efforts to create equitable access to testing. Individuals can call the Mayor's Health Line with any questions using 617-534-5050. For a complete list of all testing sites, visit here. 

The City of Boston has been partnering with community health centers to increase access to testing, particularly in neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of COVID-19. As of Monday, August 24, 2020, there were 167,859 COVID-19 tests of Boston residents. Out of 167,859 total tests, 9.4% have tested positive, which is down from 10.1% reported through Monday, August 17. For all Boston residents, the positivity for tests decreased slightly from 2.7% for the prior week (August 11-17) to 2.3% for the current week (August 18-24). The latest numbers of cases from the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) by neighborhoods are available here.

Mayor Walsh and the Boston Resiliency Fund Steering Committee have dedicated over $1,720,000 to expand COVID-19 testing and conduct culturally appropriate outreach and education to community health centers across City of Boston neighborhoods, including Bowdoin Street Community Health Center, Codman Square Community Health Center, The Dimock Center, DotHouse Health, Mattapan Community Health Center, Uphams Corner Community Health Center, Whittier Street Community Health Center, Charles River Community Health, Fenway Health, Greater Roslindale Medical & Dental Center, Harbor Health, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, South Boston Community Health Center, NEW Health Charlestown, South End Community Health Center, and Brookside Community Health Center. The Fund has also supported telehealth services and equipment at those community health centers as well to connect testing to safe treatment options at home.

Resources and information about COVID-19 are available online. Resources available on boston.gov and through City departments include support for renters and homeowners; small businesses; free meals for Boston students; free toiletries for Boston students; support for older residents; information on homeless shelters; resources for those in recovery or those who have a substance use disorder; and mental health resources. More information on Boston's reopening can be found at boston.gov/reopening.

For additional questions or programs, please visit our coronavirus website or call 3-1-1, Boston's 24-hour constituent hotline. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to receive text alerts on a regular basis, available in 11 languages.

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is now testing 7 days a week!

The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is now offering COVID-19 testing seven days a week to patients as well as community residents who have flu-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive. 

IMPORTANT: Community residents who are EBNHC patients must call EBNHC at 617-569-5800 to pre-register for screening and testing at our two new EBNHC patient testing sites. 

Patients who arrive at Suffolk Downs or 79 Paris Street without pre-registration will not be tested. 

Patients and non-patients can come to our 10 Gove Street Emergency Department and Influenza-Like Illness Clinic without pre-registering.

EBNHC Testing Locations:

New: 79 Paris Street, East Boston, walk-through location
8:00 am to noon daily
Pre-registration required: Call 617-569-5800

New: Suffolk Downs, Drive-thru location (by car only):
525 William F. McClellan Highway, Boston
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm daily
Pre-registration required: Call 617-569-5800

Emergency Department, open 24/7
Influenza Like Illness Clinic, open 7 days per week
10 Gove Street, East Boston 
Pre-registration not required

In addition to screening and testing, we are connecting community members to resources for food, housing, health, and safety. No one is asked about immigration status. 

EBNHC: "We want to see you...at home!"

Local real estate agent donates 300 Bolocco's burritos to EB Health Center

United Brokers Real Estate Sales Agent Juan Lopera (green jacket) donated 300 burritos to staff at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Also included in the photo is John Pepper (black jacket), co-founder of Boloco, along with two employees.

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center Announcement on Baby Vaccinations

East Boston Farmers Market Opens July 3!

www.ebnhc.org

EBNHC Welcomes US Secretary of Health & Human Services Alex Azar

The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center welcomed United States Secretary of Health & Human Services Alex Azar II today to discuss the national HIV epidemic and EBNHC’s experience as a leading-edge provider of HIV prevention, screening, and treatment.

In 1995, EBNHC launched Project SHINE, a clinical and supportive services department that provides a range of services including community-based prevention, screenings for HIV/STIs/HCV, PrEP, HIV care, behavioral health, medical case management, linkage and retention, and psychosocial support.



"We’re grateful for Secretary Azar for visiting us to see how community health centers play a vital role in the fight to end the spread of HIV and how we are leaders in providing value-based care,” said EBNHC President and CEO Manny Lopes.

Mark the date now! June 3 for the EBNHC's Art of Health Care at the ICA

Join the Health Center's “The Rhythm of Good Health” on Tuesday, November 24th

Time:  12:00pm to 1:00pm at the Zumix Firehouse  - 260 Sumner Street!


This is a FREE event for all!  Enjoy a delicious and healthy lunch over wonderfully diverse forms of Art.  Join us for a brief live performance from one of Boston's best local musicians and songwriters, Will Dailey.  Wi

ll was awarded with Best Songwriter and Best New Album at the 2014 Boston Music Awards and he is an incredible talent. 

Also enjoy meeting and hearing from Regina Marchi, author of the book “Local Legends of East Boston”. 

And last but certainly not least, enjoy a display of the photographic art collection “Colors” by EBNHC's own Marcela Chacon. 

It will be 60 minutes of pure fun and community engagement. To register visit: http://goo.gl/forms/O58L2MheoM

Advisory: Healthcare workforce training graduation at EBNHC

This just in:

HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE TRAINING GRADUATION

"Train To Attain" is a new recruitment, screening, and training model to meet employer’s hiring needs. East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) partnered with JVS to place highly qualified candidates into their patient access call center - entry-level positions, with rigorous hiring requirements, including bi-lingual fluency. The Train To Attain model includes contextualized job training and the support necessary to reduce turn over.  More than half of the graduates are East Boston residents who were trained in East Boston, and will serve East Boston residents. 

WHO: East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, President & CEO, Manny Lopes
             JVS (Jewish Vocational Service) COO Carol Grady
             8 training graduates/EBNHC’s newest employees


WHAT: Train To Attain, a 4-week paid training program for individuals recruited by JVS to work for East Boston Neighborhood Health Center 

WHERE: East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, 20 Maverick Square (4th Floor), East Boston, MA 02128

WHEN: Friday, October 16th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Do you know someone between the ages of 16 and 24 that needs their High School Diploma?

This just in from the EBNHC:

As part of our Youth and Young Adults Pathways Program (YYAPP), Our Education and Training Institute (ETI) has been running a HiSET program the past several weeks.  HiSET, or High School Equivalency Test, is the new replacement to GED.  Our first program was intended to be small, but we are pleased to say that several EBNHC patients, and now students, have already benefited from the program.  Just last week one of our students took their first two equivalency exams and passed both successfully!

EBNHC’s ETI will again be offering FREE HiSET Classes this fall – on a larger scale.  A High School Diploma is critical for anyone’s future and this is an excellent opportunity to assist our patients with preparation.  The program begins this October and runs Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 2:30pm.  Classes are conducted in English only, however, ESOL classes are also offered at the Institute.  The Education & Training Institute is located at 250 Sumner Street in East Boston and is just 2 blocks from the Maverick “T” Station, so very easy to get to from all of our service areas. 

If you know of anyone who is interested, please have them call 617-568-6444 today to register and schedule an intake and assessment appointment. 

Tuesday June 16th: East Boston Fights Opioid Addiction

A Night to Learn, Share, and Strategize for a Healthier East Boston

The East Boston community is invited to attend an open conversation about the rise in opioid addiction,
overdoses, and other drug use in East Boston.

This is an all ages event!

Tuesday June 16th 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

EAST BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL
86 White Street, East Boston
Refreshments 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm 

• Child care will be available on site
 
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Peter Smith, Primary Care Physician,
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
 
Hear about causes of addiction, learn to identify the signs that a loved one might be using drugs, and explore treatment options. Be inspired by stories from people recovering from alcohol and drug addiction: local community activist and business owner Joe Ruggiero and parent and Drug Court advocate Debbie Hanscom will share their recovery stories.

SPANISH TRANSLATION AVAILABLE

This FREE event is brought to you by the Office of State Senator Anthony Petruccelli, City Councilor Sal LaMattina, State Representative Adrian Madaro, and the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center.

A Certified Asset: Congratulations to EBNHC’s Wandaly Pellicier!

This just in from the EBHNC:

(East Boston, MA, June 1, 2015)— After nearly 18 months of intense study, Wandaly Pellicier, Medical Assistant in the Women’s Health Department and Central Processing Technician for the Employee Health/Infection Control Department at EBNHC, has completed the IAHCSMM (International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management) course and exam. 

EBNHC’s Wandaly Pellicier

 She is now a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST). The CRCST Certification is accredited by both the American National Standards Institute and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

In 2013, Wandaly took on the new role of EBNHC’s Central Processing Technician. In this position, she became responsible for performing and overseeing instrument care and cleaning. Prior to Wandaly’s appointment, medical assistants across the health center would devote up to three hours a day to equipment sterilization—time that is now dedicated to patient care.

At the suggestion of EBNHC administration, and with their full support as well as encouragement from her supervisor, Wandaly decided to augment her Central Service knowledge and pursue certification as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician.

A Central Service Technician is a vital member of the medical team, supporting all patient care areas and interacting with staff across the health center (in fact, the CRCST course and exam even assess customer relations skills!). As the IAHCSMM defines this role, oversight of all supplies and equipment needed for patient care includes “decontaminating, inspecting, assembling, disassembling, packaging, and sterilizing reusable surgical instruments or devices in a health care facility that are essential for patient safety.”

Wandaly’s supportive supervisor in the Women’s Health Department is Meg Perkins Ames, RN, BSN. Meg is thrilled about Wandaly’s accomplishment: “Though pending, there is legislation in Massachusetts to make certification a requirement for all Central Service Technicians (those who sterilize instruments in medical settings). The certification exam Wandaly successfully completed is significantly more difficult, with a pass rate of less than 50%, than the previous version. This is an extraordinary personal achievement. Wandaly is an exceptional employee, and now, as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician, she has become an even more treasured asset for the health center.”

Each year, Wandaly will be required to recertify as a CRCST by completing continuing education specifications. While Wandaly’s certification makes her eligible for Central Processing roles in full-service hospitals (she understands the use and care of every machine, scope, and instrument that may be used, as well as the importance of safety in any Central Processing environment), she loves her work at EBNHC. Her future plans do include becoming a Certified Instrument Specialist-after a period of well-deserved rest, however!?

As her Central Processing duties have increased, Wandaly has reduced her clinical role in the Women’s Health Department. She fills in as needed, but has incorporated ordering, stocking, and maintaining all sorts of medical supplies into her sterilization/Central Processing work. “I love working at the health center,” says Wandaly. “It’s a wonderful, diverse community. I meet people of so many different nationalities, and learn lots of new things every day. I feel very supported here.”

With her dedication to patient care at the health center and her considerable accomplishments, Wandaly is the perfect choice as the “face of EBNHC” on the health center’s newly redesigned website home page at www.ebnhc.org.

Congratulations, Wandaly!

For more information about IAHCSMM certification, visit www.iahcsmm.org.

The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center has been a vital part of the community for 45 years, providing easily accessible, high-quality health care to all who live and work in East Boston and the surrounding communities of Chelsea, Revere, Everett, and Winthrop. EBNHC handles 300,000 patient visits per year—more than any other ambulatory care center in New England.

Annual East Boston Winter Market - Saturday, December 6

(East Boston, MA) Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. East Boston Main Streets, Maverick Marketplace, East Boston Kitchen, Atlantic Works, and the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center look forward to initiating an East Boston Winter Shopping Day in and around Maverick Sq. 

Local artists and artisans will be showing their work. Four locations total: 

• Build your own grits from 9-12 and then peruse locally made art/crafts/baked goods from 12-6pm.  ZUMIX Carolers will be on hand from 12-1pm at East Boston Kitchen - 331 Sumner St.
   
• Warm apple cider, cookies, and local artist welcome you at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center from 12-6pm - 20 Maverick Sq.
   
• Over 10 locally owned retailers, entertainment and warm drinks at 154 Maverick Marketplace from 10-5pm – 154 Maverick St.
   
• Join us for the 1st East Boston Artists Group “Open House/Holiday Sale” at the Atlantic Works Artist Building, 80 Border St. Friday, December 5, 6-8pm, Saturday, December 6, 12-6pm and Sunday, December 7, 12-4pm.

Support your local artist community – Shop Local! 

EBMS is a non-profit corporation. Our mission is to create a more vibrant business district by initiating private and public improvements, promoting commerce, and supporting efforts to improve the quality of life for all who live, work and do business in East Boston.

Bicycle Safety Day at the Aug. 28 Farmers Market in Maverick Sq.

Biking is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise, you can even 
bike to the Farmers Market! 

Bring your bike to the market on Thursday, August 28 to learn bicycle epair skills with volunteers at the Boston Cyclists Union 

Location: East Boston Farmers Market in Lewis Mall Square 

Time : 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM 

Stop by the EBNHC Table for a free child’s helmet 

** Child MUST be present so that staff can measure and choose appropriate helmet ** 

You can also enter to win one of FOUR children’s bicycles 

It’s going to be a great afternoon, we can’t wait to see 
you there! 

Source: EBNHC

Health Center offers free career advancement classes and health information workshops!

(EAST BOSTON, MA — January 11, 2012) Start the New Year off on the right foot! Beginning this month, the Education and Training Institute of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) will offer free career advancement classes and health-information workshops to the residents of East Boston, Revere, Winthrop, Chelsea, and Everett.

Starting on January 18, the East Boston Harborside School will provide free General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes during daytime hours at the Education and Training Institute at 155 Addison Street in East Boston. Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to develop your potential! To find out about hours and to register, call 617-635-5115. 

Other sessions to be offered this year include certified nursing assistant (CNA) training, financial literacy and math classes, job placement training, a disability rights workshop, and many health education topics.  Most courses are offered in English as well as Spanish, and participants do not need to be EBNHC staff members or patients in order to attend.

While the Education and Training Institute is commonly known as a training facility for EBNHC employees, the goal of the Institute is to help the community in other ways beyond traditional health care services. “We are pleased to have great partners working with us, like the Harborside School, to help provide valuable resources to our neighboring communities,” said Steven Snyder, Vice President of Education and Training at EBNHC.

The Institute isn’t limiting itself to the typical continuing education courses, either. “We are also planning to offer some really interesting and fun topics to get community members together at the Institute,” said Snyder. “Our schedule includes a presentation on the great history of Revere Beach and another on the history of immigration in our community.”

The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) has been a vital part of the community for over 40 years, providing easily accessible, high-quality health care to all who live and work in East Boston and the surrounding communities of Chelsea, Revere, Everett, and Winthrop. EBNHC handles 300,000 patient visits per year—more than any other ambulatory care center in New England.

For more information about the Education and Training Institute and upcoming offerings, call 617-568-6444 or visit www.ebnhc.org.

CONTACT:
Joanna Cataldo
Education and Training Institute
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
cataldoj@ebnhc.org; 617-568-6444

Source: EBNHC