Build a Better Tomorrow and Complete Your 2020 Census Today

Are you looking to improve your community with better jobs, schools, do you want more money for health care? Make your voice heard by filling out your 2020 Census. The SJFMC Outreach Team will on site at all health centers throughout April and May encouraging patients to complete their forms online, on their phones or by a paper application. Play your part in ensuring a complete and accurate count in 2020. The U.S census is a count of everyone where they live and sleep most of the time. Census data is collected every 10 years. The voices of your children count too. Remember to count them. The Census will not ask you about citizenship. Your personal information is confidential and protected. Starting March 12, households across the country are expected to be able to participate in the once-a-decade national head count by going to my2020census.gov to complete the online census questionnaire, which is set to be open to the public through July 31.

SJFMC Earns National Recognition for Commitment to Improve High Blood Pressure

Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers is pleased to be recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) as a leader in the national effort to get patient blood pressure rates under control and reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year. As part of the 2019 Target: BP Recognition Program, AHA and AMA awarded  Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers with Gold Status—one of just 542 physician practices and health systems to be recognized for achieving blood pressure control rates of 70 percent or more in their adult patient population with high blood pressure. A total of 1,183 physician practices and health systems nationwide were recognized by the program for their commitment to help patients improve blood pressure control. The recognized organizations represent 29.8 million adult patients, with more than 8 million patients diagnosed with hypertension, across 46 states and territories.

Make a Difference this Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Get Screened

Raise awareness this colorectal awareness month and help to decrease rates on the third most common cancer in the United States. According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, in the year 2020, there will be over 78k new cases of colorectal cancer in men and 69k new cases in women. Encourage your loved ones to get screened so you don’t lose them to this terrible disease.  It’s the second leading cause of death from cancers that affect both men and women and the reason adults 50-75 are encouraged to get colorectal screening; a colonoscopy annually. Colorectal cancer affects people in all racial and ethnic groups and is most common in people age 50 and older. For more information make an appointment with your SJFMC provider today.

Governor Murphy Holds Health Care Roundtable at SJFMC

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced his plan to lower health care costs during a conversation with SJFMC Chief Medical Officer, Gregory Collins, consumers, and cabinet officials. The Governor commended SJFMC’s efforts in reducing cost and making health care available for everyone. Governor Murphy said, “ Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers is a gem in the state in the access it provides but that is not consistent across the state our challenge is to make it as good as it is but as affordable and accessible as possible.” With this goal in mind, the Governor has created a new Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency. The office will be charged with working across all state agencies to develop a strategic plan for “consumer affordability, health care quality, cost transparency and taxpayer savings,” the Governor’s Office said. SJFMC Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gregory Collins, emphasized the importance of driving consumer costs down. Dr. Collins also discussed the need for more primary care physicians, among other specialties, given the current shortage. “Patients are making choices between buying food for their families and taking care of themselves. At SJFMC, we provide comprehensive, coordinated cost-effective healthcare. We also educate our patients and inform them of ways to be self-sufficient in their care because we know that if we educate our patients we can drive down the cost of their medical expenses in the long term.” said SJFMC Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gregory Collins.

Give Kids A Smile

Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers participated in the Give Kids A Smile event on February 7, 2020, from 12 pm to 7 pm at our Egg Harbor Township and Hammonton locations. Give Kids A Smile is an annual centerpiece to National Children’s Dental Health Month. It is a one-day event where dentists and dental staff volunteer their time to provide free dental care to low-income and underserved children. To make an appointment with a SJFMC dentist of for more information on the services we provide call 1-800-486-0131.

Protect yourself from the seasonal flu

Everyone age 6 months and older needs to get a flu vaccine every year. Seasonal flu vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu. For many people, the seasonal flu is a mild illness. But sometimes, the flu can be serious or even deadly. The flu:

• Is linked to serious infections like pneumonia
• Can make existing health problems worse (for example, long-term heart or lung disease)
• Can lead to hospitalization or death

Flu vaccines can help prevent people from getting sick with the flu – and lower the risk of hospitalization and death caused by the flu. It spreads easily from person to person. When you get a flu vaccine, you don’t just protect yourself. You also protect everyone around you.

When do I need to get the seasonal flu vaccine? Get a flu vaccine by the end of October each year. After you get the vaccine, it takes about 2 weeks for your body to develop protection against the flu. That’s why it’s a good idea to get the vaccine before the flu starts to spread in your community. If you don’t get the vaccine by the end of October, it’s not too late. Getting the vaccine later can still protect you from the flu. Keep in mind that flu season can last as late as May. Call 1-800-486-0130 to make your flu vaccination appointment today.

SJFMC Launches EPIC EMR System with Care Everywhere

Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers has made a revolutionary move transforming health care delivery! After months of planning, SJFMC implementing a new electronic health record system, EPIC in November. The system is now in full operation at all eight health center sites as well as the corporate office. The new system, one of the leading systems in the health and information technology industry, facilitates communication between providers, streamlines administrative tasks and improves the quality of patient care delivery by enhancing care coordination and clinical decision-making. It also connects our patient medical records to local hospitals that are also on the system and features a more user-friendly patient portal. SJFMC CEO Linda Flake said, “We are already experiencing the benefits Epic brings to our organization by more effectively and efficiently serving our patients. The transition process has been complex but we are now fully operational thanks to the support of our staff.”

Need Insurance? The 2020 Marketplace will open soon

Enroll by December 15, 2019, and coverage starts January 1, 2020. 2020 plans and prices will be available to preview shortly before November 1. If you don’t act by December 15, you can’t get 2020 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Please call SJFMC at 1-800-486-0131 for more information.

SJFMC Continues to Break Down Barriers for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Dr. Judith Ruffin, Medical Director, Women’s Health Breast cancer is all around us. Just think about it—about one in eight women (12%) will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. You probably know someone who has been affected by breast cancer and may even be a survivor yourself. The CDC reports that deaths from breast cancer are decreasing among Hispanic, Caucasian and African American women. But there is still disparity among women of color as breast cancer death rates are up to 40% higher among African American and Hispanic women compared to Caucasian women. As a part of a federally qualified health center, you may understand some of the barriers to care that contribute to these findings. Limited breast cancer screening secondary to lack of insurance, rising health care costs, lack of access to care, failure to follow-up, fear of bad news, recent migration, and cultural and language differences can delay or prevent needed early detection and intervention to ensure survival in our patient population. Tumor genetics and biology as well as management of risk factors also contribute to the difference in survival rates among women of color. Thankfully, here at Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers, we make it our mission to eliminate financial and cultural barriers to care. Join us as we spread the word, boost awareness and raise money for this deadly disease. Let’s do our part to make sure our patients are protected—and remember, most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.

Clinical staff and providers continue to care for our patients by making sure all who need mammograms stay up to date. They also provide referrals and support to give our patients the best outcomes.

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Did you know one in five children in the United States suffers from obesity? Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. The good news? Childhood obesity can be prevented. This September, we can work together to create opportunities for kids to eat healthier and get more active. Make a difference for kids: spread the word about strategies for preventing childhood obesity and encourage communities, organizations, families and individuals to get involved. We can all use this month to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and show people how they can help work toward a solution. Here are just a few ideas:

• Encourage families to make small changes, like keeping fresh fruit within reach or going on a family walk after dinner.
• Motivate teachers and administrators to make schools healthier. Help them provide healthy food options and daily physical activities for students.
• Doctors and nurses: become leaders in your communities by raising awareness and supporting programs to prevent childhood obesity.