Jersey City Family Health Center

Dr. Patrick Beaty, Medical Director, Jersey City Family Health Center

On call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Jersey City Family Health Center, one of the largest, comprehensive providers of primary care in the state, creates access to care for thousands of uninsured and underinsured residents in Hudson County. The Medical Director for this Federally Qualified Health Center, Patrick Beaty, M.D., focuses on the overall quality of care provided to the center's patients through expanded health care services, innovative strategies, and collaborative partnerships.

"It is important to us to be in areas where people can easily reach us. Our presence in the neighborhoods where our patients live allows us to provide primary care services to patients who otherwise may not be able to overcome barriers to care. We are proud to say that, for the last three years, we have averaged more than 70,000 patient encounters in our Jersey City Family Health Center, and our goal is to provide quality care to as many patients as possible, despite their inability to pay for medical treatment. New patients find us by 'word of mouth,' thanks to our satisfied patients, and also by the outreach work we do in the community. Most important of all, patients know we are here for them," Dr. Beaty explained.

With a staff of 12 primary care doctors, the Jersey City Family Health Center provides general pediatric, adult medicine, internal, and Ob/Gyn care at three facilities. Sixty percent of patients visit the Jersey City Family Health Center, which is the main site and is the busiest facility. The two satellite offices include Columbus Health Center in Jersey City and West New York Family Health Center. The newest facility, which recently opened at 953 Garfield Avenue in Jersey City, provides specialized services for AIDS patients, the homeless, and children with special needs, as well as pharmacy services.

"Thanks to our relationships with specialists who visit our centers, we provide high-risk pregnancy care and other specialty services. We offer many ancillary services available in a one-stop environment, so our patients do not need to go elsewhere for services. Patients can receive counseling, adult outpatient and case management, in-home primary care, dental services, HIV testing, family planning, neonatal ultra sound, and diagnostic testing in our Jersey City Family Health Center. Our satellite offices provide adult, children's, and women's services in addition to wound care, dental health services, women's wellness, and ophthalmology. We bring in many services, so our patients have access," Dr. Beaty mentioned.

Jersey City Family Health Center immunizes pediatric patients through the federal Vaccines for Children Program using a patient callback system, involving outreach through direct phone calls and certified letters sent to patients when it is time for them to get their shots.

Jersey City Family Health Center received a federal grant to participate in the Patient Navigator pilot program, which seeks to increase access for patients diagnosed with cancer among minority populations. The Patient Navigator Program coincides with Jersey City Family Health Center's goal of reducing health care disparities and providing services for the underserved and uninsured populations. Coupled with the program's Patient Navigators, who serve as advocates to educate and empower patients and help them overcome cultural and linguistic barriers, Jersey City Family Health Center delivers competent primary care, prevention screenings, early detection, and follow-up treatments or referrals for minorities who often do not seek prevention services until advanced stages of diseases.

In addition, to eliminate disparities in health care for patients with chronic diseases and for patients who do not have access to technology, such as glucose meters and current medications, Jersey City Family Health Center is part of the Diabetic Collaborative, which uses the chronic disease model of care to improve patient outcomes.

"Having a long-standing relationship with Save Latin America, we are involved with the Hispanic community, a population that comprises about one-third of Hudson County. Through this partnership, we perform screening programs and provide health education that informs our patients about the benefits and services available for our patients within the community," remarked Dr. Beaty.

"As a result of our relationship with Liberty Health/Jersey City Medical Center, we can offer an expanded health care team that delivers many services for our patients, so they do not need to go across town for preventive care, primary care, or specialty services. Our patients can find these services right in their neighborhood. Through the excellent primary care provided at Jersey City Family Health Center and the satellite offices, patients come back, because the staff tries very hard to make these services all inclusive," concluded Dr. Beaty.