Innovation in Healthcare: OLE Health to Host “Pop-Up” Health Centers for Napa County’s Underserved Residents in Celebration of National Health Center Week
Citing the need to build healthier communities, OLE looks to take a new approach to delivering care by embracing a social media phenomenon to help engage populations in-need of care.
National Health Center Week 2017 is set to kick off from August 13-19th and community health centers around the country will be celebrating over 50 years of providing high-quality and affordable care to our country’s most vulnerable populations including areas of low-income, children, seniors and the disabled.
OLE Health, Napa County’s only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), will be celebrating the week by hosting what are being called “Pop-Up Health Centers” throughout the Valley, where OLE will “pop-up” at various locations throughout the County so that residents who may have trouble getting to the doctor have the opportunity to speak with a provider directly on-site.
Read the Napa Valley Register article showcasing the
POP-UP Health Centers here.
See photos of the POP-UP Health Centers here.
“The pop-up phenomenon started on social media as a way to build interest and awareness around a brand by offering a product or service for a limited amount of time, and with limited notice – making the opportunity to obtain the service more exclusive and desirable, as well as engaging the client in a unique way. What we’re doing is taking that same approach to healthcare, if a member of our community has difficulty making it to a health appointment to speak with a provider, we’re able to meet them where they are so that they can take advantage of speaking with a doctor about their health concerns.” says Tanir Ami, Chief Executive Officer at OLE Health. “It creates a sense of urgency and increases the likelihood that those who need care, will come and take advantage of our program.”
Each of OLE Health’s Pop-Up Health Centers will provide an array of services for residents including acute care, first-aid and wound care, behavioral health screenings, connections to community resources and educational opportunities. OLE will also have giveaways that are focused on wellness and occupational health for Napa Valley’s farmworkers including cooling packets, first-aid kits, sunscreen and cooled lunchboxes.
“Many of these folks go years without seeing a doctor, having one right outside makes it much more appealing and convenient for them” says Patrisia Vigil, Patient Services Manager at OLE Health. “Thanks to our partners in low-income housing, and in the winemaking community here in the Valley, we’re able to “pop-up” where we’re needed most. We also want to make it a fun experience by having giveaways and games for children and families.”
OLE Health has been working with representatives from Napa Valley Community Housing to provide services for low-income residents, as well as engaging some of the Valley’s most prominent grape growers including Beckstoffer Vineyards and Garvey Family Vineyards to provide services for farmworkers.
“A healthy workforce is a strong workforce, and we are happy to host our partners at OLE Health to ensure our staff can take advantage of the chance to speak with a provider and learn more about protecting their health, particularly during this hot summer” says David Beckstoffer, President at Beckstoffer Vineyards.
“Our residents include the working families of Napa, who often do not have time during the day to visit the doctor, which can delay much-needed care – the fact that OLE Health will plan their visit with us during the evening hours, drastically increases the access to care available to our community and that’s something we’re very excited about” says Marlene Santiago, Vice President of Resident Services at Napa Valley Community Housing.
The Pop-Up Health Centers will take place at Beckstoffer Vineyards on August 15 from 1 PM-3:30 PM, Silverado Creek Apartments on August 16 from 5 PM – 8 PM, Mayacamas Village / Von Brandt Center on August 17 from 5 – 8 PM, Garvey Family Vineyards on August 18 from 8 AM – 11 AM and will finish off at the OLE Free Fruit and Vegetable give-away on Friday, August 18, 1141 Pear Tree Lane 2:00-4:00.
