Statements
Mission
Neighborhood Health is dedicated to improving the health of our community by eliminating barriers to care and serving as a healthcare home without regard to ability to pay.
Background
United Neighborhood Health Services (UNHS), doing business as "Neighborhood Health," is a private non-profit organization. The organization began in 1976 as a coalition of two existing volunteer medical clinics, Cayce Clinic in east Nashville and Waverly-Belmont Clinic in south Nashville. Today, Neighborhood Health's 11 clinics and 2 mobile units provide medical, prenatal, dental, and behavioral health care to over 30,000 people of all ages, 68% of whom have no health insurance. Neighborhood Health may be the most interesting medical practice in the region. We have two clinics focused on public housing communities, two clinics focused on immigrants and refugees, two clinics focused on those experiencing homelessness, and two clinics in rural areas. Because of the trust we have earned with patients, Neighborhood Health has become the largest private provider of primary care in Nashville - and the largest provider to African Americans and, more generally, persons of color. Among our patients, 89% are low income and 68% are uninsured, with 17% having TennCare; 19% are children age 18 and younger, and 33% are women between 18 and 44 years old. 30% are African American, 40% Hispanic, 28% white, and 2% other races and ethnicities. We base our fees on a sliding scale based on income and household size, but no one is denied care because they are unable to pay. Neighborhood Health serves as the patient's "health care home" where they receive a full evaluation and comprehensive and holistic services including chronic disease care and management, family planning, pregnancy testing, prenatal care, immunizations, TB and STD testing and treatment, labs, pharmacy, violence prevention, translation service, opioid use treatment, and dental services. Our clinic locations are: Casa Azafran Clinic (37211), Cayce Clinic (37206), Cleveland Park Clinic (37207), Downtown Clinic (37203), East Side Clinic (37206), Inglewood Clinic (37216), Lebanon Clinic (37087), Madison Clinic (37115), Mission Clinic (37203), Napier Clinic (37210), Salvus (37066) and Welshwood Clinic (37211).
Impact
Neighborhood Health is a leader in developing and providing health services and a "medical home" for those who have low income, are uninsured, or otherwise lack access to healthcare. We serve roughly 30,000 residents of middle Tennessee. 68% were uninsured, 89% below poverty. TOP ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM THE PAST YEAR: (1) Neighborhood Health was re-approved by The Joint Commission and re-certified for Patient Centered Medical Home Certification, and we completed our triennial site visit with HRSA as one of the 30% of health centers with no findings. (2) Neighborhood Health expanded dental services by opening a dental location at our Welshwood Clinic. (3) We substantially increased the proportion of our patients who have controlled hypertension and the proportion who have controlled diabetes. TOP GOALS FOR THE CURRENT YEAR: Neighborhood Health seeks to (1) increase the number of patients we serve; (2) increase the cervical cancer screening rate among our patients; and (3) improve our payer mix and revenues even as we also increase the number of uninsured patients we serve.
Needs
Neighborhood Health's most pressing needs grow from patient care and management needs. 1. In order to improve the health of patients, particularly those with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension and those in need of preventive services, we need to augment our disease management staff devoted to reaching out and providing care coordination and health education as a member of each care team. We estimate that we need of 3-4 new staff members at an individual cost of $60,000 per position plus benefits. 2. Information technology: Expenses for electronic health records are significant, and we need at least one additional IT staff person to assist with EHR needs of providers. We estimate the costs to be $90,000 plus benefits. 3. In order to better publicize the availability of care at Neighborhood Health, we need to devote additional resources to digital and traditional marketing. We estimate the combined annual costs to be $120,000.
CEO Statement
Princess, a patient with Neighborhood Health, says it best. "Our neighborhood clinic means that people care about us and will be there for our families when we need help." Neighborhood Health is committed to access to care for all. To accomplish this, Neighborhood Health has a sliding fee scale, and no one is denied care because of inability to pay. Neighborhood Health has a unique strategy for providing healthcare to the most vulnerable and impoverished residents of Nashville. We establish a "medical home" right in the neighborhoods of those without healthcare, and go to people in local communities with use of our two Mobile Health Clinics. Neighborhood Health aggressively looks for those in need, develops ways to reach them, and places clinics within accessible reach. An additional effective approach we use is to co-locate clinics in with agencies that offer supporting services to low-income and vulnerable populations. In 2008, Neighborhood Health used this model to meet the healthcare needs of homeless people with a clinic in downtown and in the Rescue Mission. In 2014, Neighborhood Health opened services for immigrants and refugees in partnership with other refugee and immigrant services, and increased patient access through evening and weekend hours. Our Madison Clinic is open until 7 pm weekdays, and until 4:00 PM on Saturday. A third way Neighborhood Health expands access is to have "same day" visits. People need care when they are sick and can't wait for an appointment. All Neighborhood Health clinics accept clients that day. A fourth way is through our central Customer Service Line. Individuals can call, receive all needed information, pre-register, and receive directions to the clinic closest to them. ESL clients are assisted with fluent speaking staff. Other languages are assisted through our use of the Language Line. Additionally, Neighborhood Health uses evidence-based approaches in care. Our quality improvement activities enable us to ensure clients receive first class care. Neighborhood Health is committed to continuing to develop innovative programs that reach impoverished communities and meet their critical health needs. Each year brings new challenges, but with our dedicated providers and staff, we are able to respond to area health needs and continue to grow.
Board Chair Statement
Neighborhood Health's Board of Directors have a dual function: Secure the future of the organization, and secondly, be a voice for our low-income and underserved communities. A majority of Neighborhood Health's Board are consumers, assuring we remain sensitive to the needs of those we serve. Many of our clients live in public housing, have experienced homelessness, or faced periods of unemployment. Other members have skills and experience which assist the Board in meeting our obligations of sound financial and organizational management. Neighborhood Health's Board is confronted with a continually changing healthcare environment. This diverse and representative Board is particularly well suited to plan strategically for this changing future. We are creative and innovative in developing strategies to reach those in need of care, and improve the health of those most in need by maintaining a financially sound organization. Neighborhood Health has been extremely successful in growing to meet the needs of the community. From 2000 to 2023 Neighborhood Health grew from 9,642 patients to over 28,500. In that same time the budget grew from $3.7 million to over $25 million, and federal grants grew from $1.5 million to over $10.4 million. The biggest challenges Neighborhood Health face are: (1) Uninsured numbers continue have grown to over two-thirds of those served. There are many discussions about how to solve the problem of those without health insurance. The Leadership Staff at Neighborhood Health believes that Neighborhood Health's model of direct care, with community ownership, is an important part of the solution in our current healthcare crisis. (2) The health of our community is deteriorating, with high levels of obesity and related illness that have been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Tennessee continues to be one of the least healthy states in the United States. Opioid addiction is a horrendous problem, and there is a significant need to add services that help the low-income and uninsured. (3) Gentrification is displacing low-income families in to outlying county areas. Neighborhood Health developed in the inner-city, but economic developments within the urban core are pushing low-income residents into more distant areas of the county. Neighborhood Health's clinics and programs are a major asset to Nashville and provide added resources to the community. Currently $10.4 million in federal funds are being used to address the city's health needs. As a low-cost healthcare provider, Neighborhood Health ensures that many who would not otherwise have care do have access to a quality care provider. Neighborhood Health clinics also ensure patients who are best served in a clinic do not burden the more expensive sources of care like emergency rooms.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Health Care - Community Clinics |
| Secondary Category: | Mental Health & Crisis Intervention - Mental Health Treatment |
| Tertiary Category: | Human Services - Homeless Services/Centers |
Areas Served
Neighborhood Health serves the Middle Tennessee area, with medical and dental clinics in Nashville and surrounding counties. Everyone is welcome: We have no residency requirement to receive care. Individuals in need of care can go to any clinic.
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Wilson |
| TN - Sumner |
