ENHANCING ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH EDUCATION & SERVICES

“Bridging the gap between the health care system and individual community members and families is essential for driving access to quality health care and achieving health equity,” says Joanne Calista, Executive Directive of Central Massachusetts Area Health Education Center, Inc.  Honoring Choices Massachusetts welcomes Central Massachusetts Area Health Education Center, Inc. (CM AHEC, Inc.), a powerful advocate for all Massachusetts residents, and an Honoring Choices Community Partner.

CM AHEC, Inc. has deep roots in the Worcester community as a non-profit organization whose mission is to “enhance access to quality health care, promote workforce development, and eliminate health disparities,” says Jena Bauman Adams, MPH, Director of Special Projects. CM AHEC, Inc. is widely recognized for its leadership addressing organizational and policy strategies to enhance health care access and utilization, especially for vulnerable populations.

For example, the agency is active in state- and national-level initiatives to inform and support the emerging role of the Community Health Worker (CHW) workforce in healthcare redesign and the integration of CHWs in clinical care teams.  In addition, CM AHEC Inc. offers certificate courses for CHWs, who utilize their understanding of the language and cultures of the communities in which they serve to provide quality person-centered care.

Other agency activities include medical interpreter training; healthy aging and youth-focused initiatives; and curricula development and training to promote improved patient-centered care transitions and end of life care.

Read more at Meet Our Community Partners