One City at a Time Returns to Hollywood

April 11 Event Celebrated Impact, Brought Additional Health Resources and Services to Community

Memorial Healthcare System hosted a "One City at a Time" (OCAT) event on April 11 in Hollywood, two years after the program launched in the community to offer uninsured or underinsured residents access to health resources and services at no charge in locations convenient to them.

Memorial's adult mobile health and pediatric mobile health vehicles were on site at Boggs Park and Sports Fields to provide medical exams/screenings. More than 40 community partners offered services, lunch was served and healthy food packages were distributed to 150 families. The community event also included games, music and wellness activities for all ages.

"We know not having easy access to care is one of the social determinants that impacts a person's overall health," said Dionne Blackwood, vice president of Memorial Primary Care and Ambulatory Services. "That's why we've made the commitment to have our mobile units at community locations to make it easier for people to care for themselves and their families."

In the two-year period since Memorial initially launched the One City program for Hollywood residents, nearly 1,300 people (60% of them children) sought care at mobile units that came to Boulevard Heights Community Center, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Washington Park Community Center, YMCA of South Florida, and numerous churches.

Nearly 600 people participated in the most recent Hollywood event, which was supported by partners that included the City of Hollywood, Hollywood PAL, and Children's Services Council of Broward County.

Memorial Primary Care has had an ongoing presence not only in Hollywood, but also in Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach, Miramar, and Pembroke Pines. The outreach improves the health of these communities, in part, by removing barriers to health and care and making it easier for individuals to connect with available resources. It's all part of Memorial's commitment to proactive health that can prevent or more easily treat chronic conditions before they become a crisis for individuals and their families.