The Institute receives recognition for its cancer screening initiatives

The Institute was recently honored with awards for our cancer screening initiatives, which strive to ensure that preventive care is both affordable and timely.

“Best Example” Award from FQHC Peers: The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), in partnership with the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS) and the Island Peer Review Organization (IPRO), was awarded a grant from CDC to establish a cancer screening registry for FQHCs to improve cancer screening rates and follow-up. In early June, the Institute participated in a learning session focused on best practices, struggles, and how to address barriers. At the end of the day-long learning session, the 11 other participating FQHCs voted for the Institute to receive the “Best Example of Learning from Rapid Cycle Testing” award! Dr. Kwame Kitson, the Institute’s Director of CQI, Yulia Veras, and Willa Smiley accepted the award.

“Award of Excellence” from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH): In the same month, the Institute was presented with an Award of Excellence at the NYC DOHMH’s Citywide Colorectal Cancer Control Coalition (C5) Summit. The award was given on behalf of the NYC Community Cares Project—a collaboration between the NYC DOHMH and the American Cancer Society, which is working to tackle the persisting disparity in colonoscopy screening rates between the insured and the uninsured. This project facilitates partnerships between Community Health Centers and Endoscopy Centers in order to provide free colonoscopy screenings for the uninsured. The Award of Excellence was given to the Institute in recognition of its dedication and commitment to serving New York City’s underserved communities. Dr. Amarilys Cortijo, the medical director for the Institute’s Mt. Hope Family Practice and its two New York City Free Clinics, accepted the award on behalf of the Institute.

We are thankful to our collaborators and funders for their support.