Dr. Ian Smith partners with National Minority Health

First of its kind program mobilizes frontline home health workers to focus on medically underserved communities in the ongoing fight against the pandemic.
PRNewsfoto/National Minority Health Association
PRNewsfoto/National Minority Health Association

 Dr. Ian Smith partners with National Minority Health
First of its kind program mobilizes frontline home health workers to focus on medically underserved communities in the ongoing fight against the pandemic.

CHICAGO PRNewswire -- Physician, best-selling
author, and TV personality Dr. Ian Smith lends
his support to a new National Minority Health Association (NMHA) initiative that aims to increase COVID-19 vaccinations among those living in medically underserved communities. Flex for Checks is a new, community-based program developed as part of an $11.1 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that seeks to mobilize homecare workers to increase vaccination confidence and vaccination rates in underserved communities as part of the fight against COVID-19.

“The Flex for Checks program is an innovative,
necessary, and powerful tool in the fight
against COVID-19. I am proud of our nation’s
talented community healthcare workers for
their courage and the hard work they do as they
galvanize our fellow citizens to get vaccinated
and help stop the spread of COVID-19,” said
Dr. Ian Smith. “As the fight against COVID-19
continues, it has become increasingly clear that
vaccinations and mask-wearing are our best
options for ending the pandemic. The Flex for
Checks program is a crucial tool in increasing
vaccination rates and vaccine awareness within
our communities.”

The HRSA grant is part of the approximately
$125 million available through the US Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS)
American Rescue Plan to develop and support
a community-based workforce. This workforce
will serve as a trusted voice sharing information
about COVID-19 vaccines, increasing vaccine
confidence, and addressing barriers to vaccination
for those living in vulnerable and medically
underserved communities.

Burgess Harrison, executive director of the NMHA, says, “We are honored to have Dr. Ian Smith lend his talents, support, and expertise to this groundbreaking program. Nothing of this scope, scale, and importance has been undertaken before in the manner where homecare agencies, workers, consumers, pharmacies, and software companies come together and flex their arms in the fight of our lives against COVID-19.”

“I am very proud to be the national medical
spokesperson working with the NMHA on
such a vital healthcare initiative. Increasing
COVID-19 vaccinations within our communities
is extremely important to the health of our
family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors, and
to me on a personal level. I urge my followers
and the public at large to do your part and talk
to your healthcare provider and get vaccinated
today! Follow me on social media (see links
below) to join and share this endeavor with me.
One thing this pandemic has taught us is that
all of us are in this together,” said Dr. Smith.

The National Minority Health Association, founded in 1988 by Dr. David L. Dalton, Chairman, and CEO, UNIVEC Conglomerate, Inc. (UNVC), achieved its initial mission of ensuring the establishment of Offices of Minority Health in all 50 states. Today the NMHA is adding to its mission and deploying new programs that utilize patient-centered, value-based care and new ways of enhancing care to patients where they are, lowering costs, and improving outcomes for minority and underserved communities. To find out more, visit www.theNMHA.org. Become a member of the NMHA Health Equity Action Leaders network (HEAL) and join the fight for health equity. https://www.thenmha.org/donation. Help build confidence in the vaccine www.GoFundMe. com/thenmha.

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