The Board of Directors of Alton Park and Dodson Avenue Community Health Centers voted to change the name of Alton Park Health Center to Southside Community Health Center. This change takes place officially on Thursday, August 22, at 10 a.m. during National Community Health Center Week.
JoAnne Favors, Executive Director of the Health Centers attributes the driving force for this name change to significant enhancements in patient care over the past two years, coupled with extensive involvement in the visioning process of Hope VI and Southside revitalization initiatives of the City of Chattanooga. The excitement generated has signified a new beginning for primary health care delivery to this community.
Alton Park Community Heath Center opened in 1968 to provide affordable health care to uninsured and medically underserved residents of Hamilton County and North Georgia. As part of the Erlanger Health System, it currently serves over 10,000 clients annually with affordable Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Obstetrical, Gynecology, Pediatric and Dental health services. Special preventive health programs include the Diabetes Collaborative, Women Infants and Children, the CAP Program; Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Screening Program; and participation in the Southern Cohort Cancer Study.
Future plans for Southside Community Health Center includes construction of a new facility as part of the Hope VI project. It also includes the expansion of the scope of services to include school based clinics; expansion of the Diabetes Collaborative to the faith based community and neighborhood associations; and implementation of a walking and exercise program through the Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department. Ms. Favors is also organizing a multi disciplinary task force to study issues of access to health care health disparities.