Since 1972, Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers (PHC) has provided high quality primary care services to some of the most vulnerable communities in the St. Louis metropolitan area with dignity and respect. PHC maintains a first class approach to medicine and primary care delivery by obtaining full Joint Commission Accreditation and the highest possible recognition (Level III) from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
PHC's history and mission reflect accessible, comprehensive medical services through the establishment of broad-based collaborations and partnerships to maximize health care for those residents vulnerable to disease and disability.PHC offers school-linked services to several districts.
State and local cutbacks have increased the need to develop collaborative arrangements with other agencies to increase healthcare partnerships and strengthen the healthcare safety net infrastructure for St. Louis residents that help address the financial, transportation and cultural barriers. PHC’s providers provide primary care and supportive services to center sites located at 5701 Delmar Blvd., 11642 West Florissant Ave. and 7200 Manchester Rd. PHC targets residents living in city and county census tracts composed of low income residents, African Americans, single heads of households at 200% of poverty or less, uninsured and working class populations. PHC provides a comprehensive array of health services in pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, dental, ultrasound, internal medicine, radiology, mammography, podiatry, pharmacy, laboratory, mental and behavioral health, substance abuse services, and family life enrichment to meet the needs of the population served. Health education, public health nursing, outreach, mobile van screenings, school-based services and other enabling services permit community health intervention to allow a seamless approach to health and wellness and expansion of the safety net for uninsured residents. PHC supports a number of training programs. In addition, PHC offers comprehensive services to area residents through use of school based and mobile van services at community based service centers, schools, churches, shelters, community sites and other sites.
PHC providers target populations newly separated from employment experiencing poor health status related to chronic disease disparities, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, MH/SA, asthma and cancer. PHC offers school-linked services to several districts. PHC addresses the need for health services by providing coordinated programs through support of state, county, city health departments and other regional and state wide primary care associations. PHC primary care programs have a positive impact on: chronic illness intervention, health care resource identification, risk reduction, disease awareness, access to care, chronic disease management, maternal & child health, lead poisoning prevention, improvement of immunization rates, breast, prostate, colon & cervical cancer and teenage pregnancy prevention. The broad range of comprehensive primary, behavioral and oral health services, evening hours and daily open access for the city's immunization program and adult walk-ins continue to have a positive public health system impact in addressing the health needs of St. Louis area residents.
PHC's safety net diversification includes participation in the St. Louis Integrated Health Network (four FQHC’s, community hospital, city and county health department and one medical school) and the Regional Health Commission among others. PHC’s strong partnerships and outreach, increase target population access to care and enhance community based health prevention programs. In 2014, Betty Jean Kerr People's Health Centers received support through an RCHNCommunity Health Foundation grant to the Missouri Primary Care Association. The goal of the one-year funding was to increase awareness and educate patients about the importance of getting and keeping their Medicard or Marketplace Insurance.
In addition, Missouri Primary Care Association partnered with four FQHC's on the Gateway to Marketplace Project. This project targeted individuals transitioning from the state demonstration project Gateway To Better Health, to the federal marketplace. Betty Jean Kerr People's Health Centers was one of the health centers participating. The grant was funded through the RCHN Community Health Foundation. Through this project, health centers tested new technologies to reach. communicate, and assist with enrolling patients in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. The project was an exciting opportunity for BJKPHC as it allowed the center to try new outreach methods, documenting the outcomes.
