CHHMP: Supporting Patients during COVID-19

Back in March, as the number of COVID-19 cases increased, the Columbia-Harlem Homeless Medical Partnership (CHHMP) student-run clinic had to temporarily close its doors. Adjusting to the changing circumstances, and considering the clinic’s commitment to provide free quality care to Upper Manhattan’s residents, CHHMP’s team has found new ways to continue serving its patients.  

Despite the clinic's temporary closure, student team members have been busy supporting current and prospective patients remotely. CHHMP has also been checking in with patients once per week even if they do not have urgent medical needs. According to CHHMP’s current Outreach Chairs,

Mary Howard Holderness (VP&S 2023) and Jessica Nino De Rivera (VP&S 2023), these calls “allows them to check on their patients’ well-being during the pandemic.”

Mary and Jessica added: "Although we are limited in what medical services we can offer virtually, it feels like we are serving our community more than ever before. Since we are no longer constrained to Tuesday evenings, we have been able to work more flexibly with our patients' schedules and get them urgent medication refills regardless of the day of the week. Additionally, we have made efforts to call every patient who has ever come to CHHMP, even if their last visit was years ago, and assess their needs for stable housing, food, and healthcare. I think these check-in calls have a huge impact. More than anything, we all need to hear that there is someone out there who is concerned with our well-being during these uncertain times."

To learn more about CHHMP, please visit http://chhmp.org/.

Please visit http://chhmp.org/donate/ to learn about ways to support CHHMP’s efforts.

Established in 2007 by Columbia medical students in partnership with the Center for Family and Community Medicine, CHHMP is a walk-in student-run clinic providing free health services to the homeless, the uninsured, and the local community regardless of residency, medical insurance, or housing status. The clinic operates from the basement of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 126th Street and Old Broadway.