Maryland Physicians Care and Holy Cross Health Recognize Hispanic Leaders and Organizations Advancing Health Access
Maryland Physicians Care, in partnership with Holy Cross Health, awards $35,000 to Hispanic Serving Organizations at Community Awards & Townhall Event
Silver Springs, MD – November 26, 2024 — Maryland Physicians Care, in collaboration with Holy Cross Health, hosted the “Empowering Communities: Honoring Hispanic Serving Organizations” event, bringing together community leaders and health advocates for a day of recognition, discussion, and action. This event celebrated the achievements of Hispanic-serving organizations that have made significant contributions to addressing health equity by tackling Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) in Maryland’s Hispanic communities.
Held at Holy Cross Health, the event featured an awards ceremony recognizing the work of five distinguished organizations, and roundtable discussion on the unique health needs of the Hispanic community, along with remarks from Chair of the Health & Government Operations Committee, Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk.
Recognizing Excellence in Community Service
The awards ceremony honored the impactful work of the following organizations, each receiving a financial award in recognition of their dedication to advancing health access, education, and support for underserved populations:
- Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington
- Centro de Apoyo Familiar
- La Clínica del Pueblo
- Maryland Latinos Unidos
- Upcounty Hub
The awards were presented by Lorena de Leon, Population Health and SDoH Senior Director at Maryland Physicians Care, who praised each organization’s commitment to tackling health equity challenges in the Hispanic community.
“At Maryland Physicians Care, we believe in the power of community-based partnerships to drive meaningful change,” said Dr. de Leon. “These awardees are true champions for health equity, and we’re proud to stand alongside them in building healthier, stronger communities.”
Honoring Leaders and Addressing Key Issues
Chair Peña-Melnyk emphasized the importance of health equity and the role of managed care organizations (MCOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in improving access to essential services to Hispanics. “The contributions of these organizations, especially in addressing health access, education, and food security, are vital to fostering a healthier and more equitable community,” said Peña-Melnyk.
The event also featured a listening session, led by Maryland Physicians Care representatives, where Hispanic community leaders, faith leaders, and government representatives explored actionable ways Maryland Physicians Care can further support the health and well-being of the Hispanic community. This dialogue enabled the sharing of perspectives on health challenges and highlighted MPC’s innovative services in advancing the wellbeing of the community.
Continuing the Mission for Health Equity
In closing, Annice Cody, President of Holy Cross Health Network reiterated Maryland Physicians Care’s commitment to health equity. “Today’s event is just the beginning of a deeper, ongoing commitment to Maryland’s Hispanic communities,” said Cody. “We look forward to building on the insights shared today and working hand-in-hand with community leaders to create lasting improvements in health access and equity.”
Attendees were encouraged to stay engaged with MPC’s initiatives, which include medical coverage and health benefits that are close to home. This coverage includes access to primary and urgent care visits, pregnancy and new mother benefits, specialty care, pharmacy coverage, vision care and more. MPC’s participation in the HealthChoice program is available to Maryland Children’s Health Program or MCHP qualified recipients. Other benefits include MyVirtualMPC, a free service providing 24/7 access to doctors for MPC members, and BELONG, a free program that rewards Maryland Physicians Care members with healthy prizes and valuable coupons.
For more information about Maryland Physicians Care and their ongoing efforts to support health equity, please visit mpcMedicaid.com.
About Maryland Physicians Care
Maryland Physicians Care provides free, quality health care services to Maryland’s HealthChoice enrollees by extending the full benefits of Medicaid. Our strong network of hospitals, doctors, clinics, and pharmacies helps our Members live as healthily as possible through education, support, and quality programs.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Terry Hillegas, Marketing Manager, Maryland Physicians Care / MCMI
thillegas@mpcmedicaid.com
