Affinity Health Center is pleased to announce that we were recently awarded accreditation for 3 years by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This is an important milestone in the continuing growth and success of our health care organization. Pursuing accreditation demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest levels of quality care to our patients, and the same high level of quality in our business practices. Achieving AAAHC Accreditation is proof that Affinity Health Center has met the rigorous standards of a nationally recognized third party. Having earned AAAHC Accreditation, our organization embodies the 1095 Strong, quality every day philosophy, a commitment to ongoing improvement and quality each day of operation. During the three-year or 1,095-day accreditation term, organizations continue to develop and foster the kind of everyday habits that enable leaders in the industry to provide the utmost in health care delivery and patient safety.

We are proud to have met the challenge of accreditation and intend to consistently uphold the principles of quality
improvement in patient care.

Don’t lose your Medicaid! It’s important that you respond to any mail from Medicaid to keep your benefits. During the COVID-19 emergency period, more people became eligible for Medicaid and Medicaid Annual Reviews stopped. The emergency period is now over and Medicaid recipients will be receiving Annual Review packets again. Make sure Medicaid has your correct contact information now so you don’t miss your Annual Review this year. You can change your address on the Medicaid website. You can also apply for Medicaid or submit your Annual Review online by going to the Medicaid portal at apply.scdhhs.gov. You can also call Healthy Connections Medicaid at 888-549-0820 or visit your local Medicaid eligibility office. If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you may be able to get no cost or low cost health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at healthcare.gov. If you need assistance with Medicaid or ACA applications, Affinity can help. Call our Benefits Navigator at 803-909-9708 to make an appointment for one-on-one help.

Affinity Health Center (AHC) has adopted a 2-Year Equity Action Plan!!!

The action plan adopted comprises of 50 strategies within 4 Goal Areas including Leadership & Governance, Workforce Equity, Health Equity, and Community Engagement & Outreach.

AHC’s Equity Action Plan is intended to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in our operations, foster a more inclusive and equitable culture, and improve outcomes for all people that have a relationship with Affinity. This plan reestablishes our Board of Director’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as the Board, for multiple years, has adopted Health Equity and DEI as a Strategic Goal in the organization’s Operational Plan. The process of creating the Equity Action Plan was led by the agency’s Chief Equity and People Officer (CEPO) and its Chief Executive Offer (CEO). Furthermore, the strategies created in the plan are based on feedback provided from AHC staff, patients, community partners, and the consulting work of a local non-profit organization called Civic Canvas.

Civic Canvas is a social & organizational impact bilingual boutique consulting firm whose framework incorporates a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lens in its strategic planning process. In 2021, Affinity Health Center was awarded a grant from the Southern HIV Impact Fund, a project funded by Gilead Sciences, ViiV Healthcare, and The Levi Strauss Foundation and managed by AIDS United. AIDS United’s sole mission is to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. It does this through capacity building, policy advocacy, and strategic grant-making. AIDS United centers those communities hardest hit by the HIV epidemic, including gay and bisexual men, communities of color, women, people living in the Deep South, and people living with HIV. Funds received through this grant were used to support the consulting services of Civic Canvas.

The services provided by Civic Canvas enabled Affinity Health Center to have additional information from its stakeholders to be used in consideration when drafting strategies aimed to their benefit. The strategies outlined in the Equity Action Plan will be implemented during the 2023 & 2024 calendar years.

How do you pass the baton during a pandemic? Outgoing Affinity Board Chair, Dwight Burns (right) uses appropriate safety measures to welcome incoming Board Chair Ronne Duncan (left). Ronnie Duncan has served on the Affinity board for several years and we look forward to his leadership as Board Chair. We thank Dwight Burns for his service as Board Chair and are glad to have him continue as a member of the Board.

The South Carolina Primary Care Association has released the following statement in support of our Asian American Communities.

We are four months into 2021, and yet we continue to face a regression in social justice for all mankind. Racial biases have become an increasing epidemic in our nation. While the Black Lives Matter Movement still remains at the forefront of our struggle, we must now fight for our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities against racial intolerance.

The South Carolina Primary Health Care Association Board and staff wish to express our sadness and sympathy for the families and friends of those who have been attacked and/or lost their lives because of ignorance, racism and hatred. The recent string of shootings in the Atlanta area, which left at least six Asian women dead and the continued string of violent incidents throughout the United States, is disappointing and appalling. While the details of these killings are still forthcoming, we do know that throughout the course of the pandemic, there has been a marked increase in racism and violence toward the Asian community. These aggressions and events have impacted our families and friends across the nation, leaving many with increased fear in their everyday lives. Today, we denounce the violence, harassment, and discrimination against Asian Americans that has been on the rise in our country. As we expressed in our statement on the killing of George Floyd, racism and discrimination of any kind is an injustice that can spread like wildfire if not immediately eradicated.

While some of our leaders have voiced their outrage with the attacks on the Asian communities, we are calling on all leaders in South Carolina to publicly condemn the injustices that are being committed in America.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

South Carolina – Where do you stand? Will you stand against the social injustices we are experiencing as a Country?

Community health centers in South Carolina will continue the heritage and commitment of the CHC Movement to fight for social justice and health equity for all people. We are taking ownership collectively and individually to make change.

“If you want change, you have to make it. If we want progress, we have to drive it.” – Susan Rice

#StopAsianHate

From the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association Board of Directors and Staff

Affinity Health Center gave out 204 COVID vaccines over two days during our first drive thru COVID vaccine clinic last week. We were able to use 100% of the vaccines we received and look forward to continuing to provide this service to the community when we receive more vaccine. Thank you to everyone who pulled together to plan and schedule patients for this event on very short notice. Our staff and volunteers worked through the cold and rain and were even able to coordinate vaccine distribution during one of our busy twice monthly mobile mammogram days.

COVID vaccine distribution in South Carolina is currently in phase 1a. Anyone in this group is eligible for vaccination now (those 70 years old or older, healthcare workers, first responders, see vaccine flow chart for more information).

Support Affinity Health Center today through 12/31/2020 and your donation will be doubled with a matching gift from Avita Pharmacy. Your generosity helps us do twice the good to provide high quality comprehensive health care, dental care and supportive services to those most in need. Did you know 81% of our patients have low income and many are un or under insured? During this time of increased need in our community, your donation makes a direct impact, helping those most in need. Make a donation today.