Boston Medical Center (BMC)

BMC is at the forefront of providing culturally-competent mental health care to all patients. We are leaders in deeply connecting with patients in Boston and the rest of the world. When our patient, Boohe, met Dr. David Henderson, Chief of Psychiatry at BMC, he felt comforted by Dr. Henderson’s expertise in Liberian trauma because “he understands my culture and talks to me like he’s from my culture”. That cultural sensitivity is pivotal in advancing mental health care. The Africa Global Mental Health Institute, co-founded by Dr. Henderson and supported by BMC, fosters collaborations across more than 25 countries to create accessible training and education programs for providers to improve the mental health of people of African descent no matter where they are in the world. Learn more on HealthCity ➡️ https://bit.ly/3RXtzTF #BIPOCMentalHealthMonth #MinorityMentalHealthMonth

We're #BMCProud of LaKedra Pam, MD, for being selected as a 2024 Aspen Ideas: Health Fellow. Fellows are selected for their significant accomplishments and proven ability to transform ideas into action. As a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and the director of inpatient obstetrics, Dr. Pam is passionate about educating medical students as well as caring for underserved women and closing maternal health disparities. Congratulations, Dr. Pam on this exciting opportunity!

Join us on Martha’s Vineyard on August 6 & 7 to address the systemic health inequities faced by our communities. We will kick off the first day with thought-provoking discussion between experts and community leaders on the unique and often overlooked challenges Black men face in accessing mental healthcare. Panelists will underscore the urgent need for culturally sensitive support systems and destigmatization within Black communities. The panel “Beyond Stereotypes: Navigating the Complexity of Black Men's Mental Wellbeing” will be moderated by MSNBC's Symone D. Sanders Townsend and will feature BMC’s Chair of Psychiatry David Henderson, MD, Co-Founder and CEO of WellWithAll Desmond Martin, and Founder and CEO of Will Packer Productions Will Packer. Register now: https://bit.ly/45Q3208

We're excited to welcome our incoming residents into their first year during intern orientation. Our PGY-1 residents are ready to start their training and begin their journey in providing expert care to all patients. When you train at BMC, you work alongside diverse, world-class clinicians to build a new kind of excellence in healthcare. In our program, you have hands-on experience where you learn to combine cutting-edge treatments and advanced technology with a compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. Learn more about BMC’s residency program: https://bit.ly/3W5FXn4

BMC's GenderCare Center provides world-class, comprehensive, and affirming care for people across the gender spectrum. The center advances education, research, and advocacy efforts throughout New England and beyond. Meet Meghan McGrath, MSW, LICSW, the behavioral health clinical lead at BMC's GenderCare Center. Their team is building an intentional, institutional approach to affirming the experiences of trans and gender diverse (TGD) patients at BMC. Meg is passionate about empowering providers to deliver affirming medical care and training patient-facing staff on how to support queer individuals. Outside of BMC, Meg enjoys spending time with their wife and two dogs, kayaking across Massachusetts, and doing yard work. Learn more about the GenderCare Center at BMC ➡️ https://bit.ly/4eF0kii #PrideMonth

"We're really good at treating illness, but it's also on us then to advocate for and to work with partners to try to address those upstream social drivers of health." BMC's Brian Yun, MD, MBA, MPH, led our second annual Strengthening Essential Emergency Departments (SEED) conference earlier this month, where the theme was “The Intersection of Value-Based Care, Population Health, and Essential Emergency Departments (ED).” #HealthCity spoke with Yun after the conference to discuss learnings around what the future could look like for EDs: https://bit.ly/3VHQrrj

As part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s New Voices program, BMC’s Sabrina Assoumou, MD, MPH, joined 20 emerging STEM leaders at the White House. They learned about the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and explored how their scientific backgrounds can help interrogate challenges and inform public policy decisions. Thank you, Dr. Assoumou, for your dedication to driving change and exemplifying BMC's commitment to empowering communities to thrive. Learn more about the program: https://bit.ly/3L3KWOU

Join us on Martha’s Vineyard on August 6 & 7 to address the systemic health inequities faced by our communities. Break barriers while taking a break on the Vineyard! Discussions will be moderated by MSNBC's Symone D. Sanders Townsend, a fresh and dynamic voice for our time. Previously, Townsend served as national press secretary for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’s 2016 presidential campaign, senior advisor for President Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, deputy assistant to President Joe Biden, senior advisor and chief spokesperson to Vice President Kamala Harris, and CNN political commentator. She was a resident fellow of both the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School and the University of Southern California's Center for the Political Future. Don’t miss this chance to hear from a remarkable communicator with a passion for problem solving and social justice. Register now: https://bit.ly/3xz7Me8

We're proud to be awarded top grades by the Lown Institute for efforts in health equity, clinical excellence, and community collaborations. BMC received an "A" grade for social responsibility, which combined metrics of health equity and value of care alongside patient outcomes, from more than 3,500 U.S. hospitals and 300 health systems nationwide. “As an equity-led academic medical center, we are dedicated to pioneering innovative care models and advancing programs that address social determinants of health, designed collaboratively with and for our patients and communities." - Anthony Hollenberg, MD, President of BMC We also received "A" grades from the Lown Institute for Health Equity, Racial Inclusivity, Inclusivity, Community Benefit, Value of Care, and Avoiding Overuse. Read more: https://bit.ly/3RHT1g0

In the six years Andrew Bloniarz has lived in Boston, he has switched jobs, health insurance coverage, neighborhoods, and homes. The one thing that hasn’t changed is his commitment to taking care of his sexual health through the STD Clinic at BMC. “This isn’t common in a lot of healthcare settings, but I really look forward to my visits to BMC,” shares Andrew. “Everyone knows my name and is excited to see me, and there is never any awkwardness or judgment — just pure, genuine support and care. It’s a really nice experience.” As a City of Boston employee, Andrew also feels a special connection to BMC and its history as Boston’s city hospital. “I enjoy being part of this deeply rooted community institution. At BMC, I see and experience a lot more diversity than I would somewhere else in Boston. It's nice to share an experience with such wonderful, lovely people that I might not meet otherwise.” Every other month, Andrew bikes, drives, or even walks to BMC to get tested for STDs and to receive an injection of Apretude, a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that lowers his risk of HIV. He says his leg is a little sore after every injection, but he prefers it over having to remember to take a daily pill. “It’s just one less thing I have to think about,” he explains. Andrew’s nurse case manager, Brian Johnstone-Stewart, was a big help in getting him switched over to the injectable last Fall. “Brian was so thoughtful and proactive,” says Andrew. “I never felt any kind of confusion, stress, or financial strain. He was on top of everything.” This Pride Month, Andrew encourages everyone to get regular STD testing. “It’s important to me that I always know my status and that I’m not at risk of unknowingly passing on a potential disease,” he explains. “Knowledge is power.” He adds that there is never too long of a gap or a wrong time. “Just go and see the folks at BMC! They’re so kind and welcoming.” Learn more about our STD clinic ➡️ https://bit.ly/4cj0ytO #NationalHIVTestingDay #PrideMonth