I am writing to share updated information about GLFHCs response to COVID-19. Please know the GLFHC community hopes that you and yours are taking good care and staying healthy as this unimaginable pandemic has affected everything we do – both personally and professionally. We here at GLFHC send our heartfelt thoughts to all of you and hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.
Over the last few weeks, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center has been tested in ways we could never have imagined. Although a consolidation of resources has dictated the need to temporarily close three of our clinical sites, we continue to treat our patients with the highest level of care possible. With close to 200 staff working on the frontlines between the clinic and pharmacy, and our doctors and residents staffing our local hospital, the GLFHC community has exemplified their devotion to our mission of serving a culturally diverse population with outstanding healthcare.
The safety of our healthcare workers and supporting GLFHC staff continues to be a priority so they may carry on the critical work and services needed for our patients. Thank you to everyone that has supported GLFHC’s need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) through either a donation of goods or direct philanthropic support to the GLFHC COVID-19 Response Fund. We continue to be in need of PPE and are specifically in short supply of disposable gowns at the present time – your support in this area is greatly appreciated.
While we continue to work tirelessly to ensure the continuity of care and our mission, below is a summary of the highlights:
- Locations: We are currently seeing patients at three of our sites; 34 Haverhill Street, our North site located at 150 Park Street, and the Lawrence General Hospital site located on the fourth floor.
- Physicians and Clinicians: GLFHC clinicians are staffing our three open clinics seeing patients with acute conditions, conducting telehealth visits for general healthcare and managing COVID-19 inquiries accordingly. Our physicians and Lawrence Family Medicine Residents continue to work at Lawrence General Hospital on a daily basis covering the floors as hospitalists as well as in labor and delivery, and the ICU.
- Telehealth: Our clinicians are seeing acute patients as walk-ins while other patients are being seen via Telehealth. The GLFHC Information services team was able to operationalize Telehealth in a number of days at the beginning of this crisis. We are currently seeing over 5000 patients per week via Telehealth.
- Pharmacy: The Pharmacy Team has expanded services to meet the challenges of delivering medications to patients by increased home delivery capacity and offering curbside pick-up to ensure social distancing.
- Homeless: The GLFHC Healthcare for the Homeless team continues to look for ways to ensure our area’s most vulnerable people get the health care that they need and deserve. Our staff and clinicians have joined other local leaders from the region to address the need for appropriate shelter options for the homeless.
- Testing: GLFHC is not currently testing, but we are screening our patients – either in person or by our Respiratory Intervention Teams or via Telehealth before sending them for testing.
The GLFHC COVID-19 Response Fund has raised $188,000 to date.
Thank you for your help, love, and support for Greater Lawrence Family Health Center. If you have any questions or thoughts, please don’t hesitate to contact me at rnapolitano@glfhc.org or 978-722-2870.
Stay home, Stay Safe, and Stay Healthy – “We are resilient, we are GLFHC!”
With Gratitude,
Richard Napolitano
Senior Vice President, External Relations
Chief Marketing & Development Officer
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
