ESPERANZA HEALTH CENTER E-NEWS
February 2022
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During National Black History Month, we honor the immeasurable contributions and legacies of Black and African Americans across U.S. history and society. In honor of the 2022 theme for Black History Month – Black Health and Wellness – we further acknowledge the breakthrough achievements of Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine and throughout the African Diaspora, which directly impact the work we do here at Esperanza Health Center.
As we celebrate Black History Month, may we also continue to reckon with and grieve over the centuries of injustice faced by our Black and African American brothers and sisters. May we continue to reflect the heart of God in our pursuit to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).
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Dr. John Perkins' Impact on the Founding
of Esperanza Health Center
Dr. John Perkins, Founder & President of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation
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As we reflect on the 2022 theme for Black History Month — Black Health and Wellness — it is critical to highlight the direct impact and influence Black and African Americans have had in the founding of Esperanza Health Center and the Christian health community overall.
Dr. John Perkins, Founder and President Emeritus of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation, is an internationally-known speaker, civil rights activist, and best-selling author with a lifelong ministry in racial reconciliation and community development. Throughout the course of his more than 60 years of service in Christian ministry, Dr. Perkins has had profound influence on the formation of Christ-centered healthcare as we know it today and, most importantly to us, played a direct role in the founding of Esperanza Health Center.
In her book, "Prescription for Hope," our founder Dr. Carolyn Klaus, recounts a pivotal interaction with Dr. Perkins at a conference in the late 1980's that ultimately lead to the founding of Esperanza Health Center. "When [the workshop] was over, he and I chatted for a few minutes in the hallway. After a bit, [John] pointed his bony finger at me and pronounced, 'Carolyn, God is calling you to start a Christian health center in Philadelphia!' A moment later he turned and walked off."
In addition to the myriad of ministries he and his wife, Vera Mae, have founded, Dr. Perkins was instrumental in the founding of the Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) — a community of Christian healthcare professionals who are committed to living out the gospel through healthcare among the poor — of which Esperanza has been part since we first opened our doors in 1989.
We are extremely grateful for the incredible work of Dr. Perkins in pressing God's Kingdom forward within the Christ-centered healthcare community. In the words of Susan Post, CEO of Esperanza Health Center, "God's word flows through [Dr. Perkins], and that's because he spends so much of his life praying God's word and leaning into who God is."
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Esperanza Announces New Kensington &
Allegheny Site Medical Director
Dr. Charlene Chen, MD, Promoted to Site Medical Director at EHC's K&A Site
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Esperanza Health Center is happy to announce that Charlene Chen, MD will now serve as our new Kensington Site Medical Director. Since joining Esperanza in 2013, Dr. Chen has served with Esperanza as a Family Medicine Physician, providing care for children, adults and pregnant women, and has served as the Kensington Assistant Site Medical Director for the last year and a half. She loves getting to know and care for whole families, from birth to old age. Dr. Chen has been a great blessing to patients and staff at our Kensington site, and we are very excited to see how she will continue to lead and serve at our organization!
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National Children's Dental Health Month
7 Tips to Maintain Dental Health at Home from EHC's Dental Team
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Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of children's oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. In between dental visits, however, it is important to continue healthy dental habits at home. Below are a few tips from the EHC Dental team on maintaining dental health at home that the whole family can benefit from!
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TIP #1: Eat Healthy Whole Foods
- Include many different colors of vegetables in your daily diet.
- Whole fruits (instead of juice) include fiber to help digest natural sugars.
- Choose lean meats, fish, eggs and beans for protein. Choose whole grains for fiber.
TIP #2: Avoid Added Sugars Found in Sweet Beverages and Most Processed Foods
- Keep calories from added sugars below 10% of total calories
- Do not sip or nibble on sugary beverages/sticky snacks over extended periods of time
TIP #3: Take Deep Breaths Before Eating
- Send some extra oxygen to your body and savor the aroma of your food.
- Practice gratitude to God for your meals and for the hands that prepared them!
TIP #4: Eat at Regular and Planned Times if Possible
- Enjoy meals with family and/or friends.
- Cook together to save money.
TIP #5: Brush Teeth Morning and Night With a Soft Toothbrush and Fluoride Toothpaste
- Use a soft circular motion to clean all surfaces of all teeth, plus the top of the tongue.
- Do not eat after brushing before bed.
TIP #6: Floss or Clean Between All Teeth Contacts Daily.
- Use dental floss/flossers/toothpicks/interdental sticks or WaterPik to remove plaque and food between all teeth where the brush can’t reach.
TIP #7: Stay Active to Maintain Bone Health
- If you need to sit for prolonged time, take regular stretching and standing breaks.
- Take frequent breaks from looking at your phone and maintain good posture
- Exercise outside in fresh air when possible.
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February is American Heart Month! Devoting some time every day to care for yourself can go a long way toward protecting your heart health. Self-care, like moving more, preparing healthier meals, getting enough quality sleep, and taking a moment to de-stress, helps your heart. |
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Interested in joining our team? We currently have part-time, full-time, and temporary positions available in many areas, including: Clinical (RN, Medical Assistant, Clerical Assistant, and other clinical positions), Finance, Management, and Administration. For a complete list of all current openings and to apply, please click the link below to visit our Careers page. Join our ministry to provide affordable, quality health care services in Jesus' name!
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Our Mission:
Compelled by the love of God in Christ Jesus, in cooperation with the Church and others, Esperanza Health Center is a multi-cultural ministry providing holistic healthcare to the Latino and underserved communities of Philadelphia.
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