Pictured (left to right): Liz Browne, Anna Welland, Ruth Adade, Susan Adams, Fariha Ali, Kenya Allen, Casey Squier and Klavdia Brisson
Charles River Community Health recently welcomed officials from the Mass League of Community Health Centers (MLCHC) and the Community Care Cooperative (C3) to our Brighton location to accept almost $225,000 in grant funding to help bridge the digital divide and empower our patients to utilize digital health tools to better manage their care.
The funding is part of a broader $20M in grant awards from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Digital Equity Partnerships Program which supports high-impact and scalable initiatives that reach residents most affected by the digital divide. Under this grant, MLCHC partners with C3 to operate the FQHC Telehealth Consortium (link) which provides training and support for CHCs digital healthcare needs. Susan Adams, VP of Health Informatics for MLCHC says, “Digital healthcare empowers patients to take an active role in their health, leading to improved outcomes. Whether it’s through telehealth, remote patient monitoring, or patient portals, engaging with technology can bridge the gap between patients and providers and result in a more personalized patient experience.”
Fariha Ali has joined the CRCH team as our Digital Patient Navigator and will deliver hands-on support to help patients learn about and use digital technology including:
- Screening patients for their digital access needs and supports patients in securing and maintaining stable internet access and devices in partnership with Link Health
- Developing accessible educational materials on digital health tools (e.g., MyChart, video telehealth, etc.) and providing one-on-one and community trainings to increase patient comfort with use
- Coordinating digital logistics with patients in advance of their video telehealth visits for optimal experience for patient and provider
- Working with the Community Health team to identify and address other barriers to access impacting patients’ care
The Digital Patient Navigator will be available in both our Brighton and Waltham locations.
