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.
  • Women aged 40 to 49 should discuss mammogram screening recommendations with their providers. We encourage women to have mammograms every one to two years starting at age 40 based on their risk factors, values and preferences.
  • Women aged 50 to 74 should have a mammogram every one to two years. Some may need them more often.
  • Those with a family history or other risk factors may need mammograms sooner and may require other imaging and genetic testing.

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:

Spread the Need to Get Screened This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month


By: Dr. Gregory Collins, Chief Medical Officer In recognition of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, do your part to make sure our patients are aware of how to protect themselves from this deadly disease—not just this month but all year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year more than 160,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. It’s the second-most common cancer in men, and about 30,000 die from their illness. New Jersey ranks in the top 10 for prostate cancer cases. These are staggering statics that will improve with proactive measures and early detection. Have discussions with your patients and their families about the importance of screenings. One of the biggest questions when it comes to prostate cancer screenings is who should get tested. The answer is different for each person. However, African American men get prostate cancer at a younger age, tend to have a more advanced disease when it is found and tend to have a more severe type of prostate cancer than other men. Those who have a father, son or brother who had prostate cancer are at an increased risk of getting prostate cancer. Men with two close relatives on the same side who have had prostate cancer may have a type of prostate cancer caused by genetic changes that are inherited. Help us spread the word and identify those who should be screened. Together we can make sure our community members take charge of their health.

Care Coordination Team Continues to Combat Black Maternal and Infant Mortality


Chronic Disease Coordinator Yoammy Pozo and Director of Clinical Support Services and Community Engagement Destiny Wood join New Jersey’s First Lady Tammy Murphy at the Family Festival in Atlantic City. On Saturday, September 7, SJFMC took part in First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Family Festival in Atlantic City. The event is a part of Murphy’s Nurture NJ awareness campaign, aimed at combating the maternal and infant health crisis in New Jersey, where black women are five times more likely than white women to die from childbirth-related complications. Director of Clinical Support Services and Community Engagement Destiny Wood said, “The first lady recognizes the issue that plagues our patient population. It’s a major push of ours and she is doing her part to make a difference across the state. We are here to support the mission and improve the lives of local families.” During the event, SJFMC connected about 850 mothers, fathers, grandparents and others involved in taking care of children with information on much-needed services including prenatal care, pediatric services and mental health.

SJFMC in the Community (Spring/Summer 2019)


April 30, 2019 SJFMC AND THE AC LINKS TEAM UP TO PUT FRESH PRODUCE ON LOCAL PLATES Sweet potatoes, mushrooms, collard greens and kale were just a few healthy favorites given out in sacks and bunches during our farm stand in April at the Merle Pavilion. The event, in collaboration with the Atlantic City chapter of the Links Inc., is part of the SJFMC Farmacy program, making fresh produce the medicine for a healthy soul. About 150 families received bags full of fresh produce at the event. The program, aimed at improving health outcomes through healthy eating, will continue at SJFMC next harvest season. May 22 SJFMC participated in the Atlantic City Regional Stand Down event, held at the All Wars Memorial Museum in Atlantic City, NJ. Our staff distributed much-needed health information to homeless veterans’ households. June 14 SJFMC staff participated in Wear BLUE Day as part of the year-round Wear BLUE awareness campaign created by the Men’s Health Network to raise awareness about the importance of male health and to encourage men to live longer and healthier lives. The event also aimed to get women involved to encourage men to do so.

June 14

The Outreach Team hit the streets of Burlington, stopping in barbershops to distribute goodie bags to local men. The push, in partnership with the Burlington Department of Health, was part of Men’s Health Awareness Month. June 14 Check out this smiling face, Patient Engagement Manager Stephanie Weaver, at the Atlantic City Board of Education’s Health and Wellness Expo. The event at O’Donnell Park connected community members with valuable health information to protect their families. August 23  Burlington County seniors received blood pressure screenings and valuable health information at the Doreatha Campbell Senior Complex in Willingboro.

SJFMC Celebrates National Health Center Week 2019


SJFMC observed National Health Center Week August 4-10 with a series of successful community events. With the theme of “America’s Health Centers: Rooted in Communities,” the week was an opportunity for SJFMC to celebrate its own health center heroes with luncheons at our eight centers. At these “Honoring Health Center Heroes” events, we applauded the staff winners, nominated by their peers through state-wide elections, who demonstrate the values of our organization. Check out our page for a list of winners. We also held four community health fairs to celebrate National Health Center Week. The fairs included free immunizations, dental screenings, blood pressure and glucose testing, entertainment, community partners, back-to-school book bag giveaways, food and much more in all three of the counties we serve: Burlington, Atlantic and Salem. Our SJFMC Pleasantville event at the Merle Pavilion attracted 150 people  and our event in Salem attracted about 100 residents. We culminated the week with two health fairs in both Burlington and Atlantic Counties. Elected officials showed their support for our mission at our  Burlington City Center event that attracted more than 200 patients and community partners. Our Atlantic City sites hosted more than 250 attendees. Thanks to all our managed care organizations, Aetna, Horizon NJ Health, United Healthcare, WellCare and Amerigroup, for providing monetary donations and outreach services. We also appreciate all of our community partners and SJFMC employees and Health Center Heroes who supported our efforts. Go TEAM!

Congratulations to our 2019 Health Center Heroes!


This year’s finalists are being honored for their commitment to our mission of providing quality health care to our patients. They all are dedicated to the Community Health Center Movement and deserve to be recognized. Here are our 2019 Heroes and Sheroes!!!!! AC1: Dr. Robert Hill, Dentist AC2: Milagros Centeno-Cooper, Front Desk Manager Burlington: Esther Kwofie, Certified Medical Assistant   Buttonwood: Dr. Wayne Shaw, Internal Medicine English Creek: Narda Bernal-Castaneda, Financial Counselor Hammonton: Desiree Washington, Patient Service Specialist Merle Pavilion: Alisia Charles, Certified Medical Assistant Migrant Outreach: Ashley Dasny, Migrant Outreach Coordinator Salem: Evette Washington, Patient Service Specialist  We Are Proud to Announce This Year’s Super Hero Dr. Robert Hill!  Dr. Hill is our Super Hero this year due to his tireless commitment to our patients. Our Super Hero Dentist, who has worked for SJFMC for more than 30 years, said, “I give back to the community I grew up in. It makes my day to be able to help people who come in need of jobs but are compromised in their smiles. Because of our mission, I am able to help them and give them back their confidence, and that makes me smile.” Thanks to all of our Health Center Heroes and our Super Hero. Because of the support from these committed staff members, our health centers bring incredible value to the most vulnerable populations. We thank each employee for being rooted in communities and serving as examples of stellar service. All of our heroes will be honored at our Holiday Awards Breakfast in December.

SJFMC Provider Day 2019


Pictured, left to right in front row: SJFMC CFO Ron Kaplan, President/CEO Linda Y. Flake, COO Esther Carpenter, PI/Director of Compliance Tarena Rivera. Back row: SJFMC Providers. Photo Credits: Tracie Van Auken. Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers recognized the contributions of its provider staff on March 15 during Provider Day. The event, which honors Doctors, Dentists, Nurse Practitioners, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Physician Assistants and Dental Hygienists, was held at Paris Caterers. In addition to breakfast and presentations from SJFMC leaders, nine clinical team members received productivity and quality awards and incentives for their hard work. CEO Linda Flake said, “It is our way of saying thanks to our providers for their commitment to our mission. They work every day to keep the patients and the community healthy.” The SJFMC Board has signed a resolution marking the third Friday in March as Provider Day every year. Next year’s celebration will be held on March 20, 2020. 2019 Provider Day Honorees

SJFMC Encourages All to get Free HIV Testing at one of its Eight Health Centers in Honor of World AIDS Day


In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center committed to providing quality health care to the underserved and uninsured, encourages all southern Jersey residents to get tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In the United States, about 1 in 7 people who have HIV don’t know it. While SJFMC offers free HIV testing every day at all eight of its health centers, health leaders are urging the public to take part in free walk-in testing on Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30 ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1, 2018. The only way to know for sure whether or not you have HIV is to get tested. You could have HIV and still feel healthy. Everyone ages 15 to 65 needs to get tested at least once. Some people may need to get tested more often. HIV is passed from one person to another by:
Around the world, about 37 million people are living with HIV. In the United States, about 38,500 people get infected with HIV every year. World AIDS Day is a global initiative to raise awareness, fight prejudice and improve education about HIV and AIDS.