A fantastic night filled with community, conversations, art, and public health.

That pretty much sums up our incredible Hearts United Soirée that we hosted at the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago. The event was a tribute to Dr. Allison Arwady, Director of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, recognizing her exemplary leadership at the Chicago Department of Public Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During her address, Dr. Arwady shared insights into health equity, public health strategies, and the pivotal role of the FQHC infrastructure in Chicago. Amidst a gathering of 75 attendees, Dr. Arwady emphasized the necessity of a healthcare framework that serves all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance.

“During COVID, the world saw what it meant to have a system that took care of everyone, no question asked,” said Dr. Arwady. “Tapestry 360 Health has been such a leader in this space. Not just thinking about physical healthcare but thinking about building trust with the community and the 29,000 patients coming to these 16 centers and creating spaces that are not always the obvious clinical spaces. For example, the School-Based Health Centers. These are the best practices, but we don’t always see organizations stepping up to figure out how to work together.”

Tapestry 360 Health’s commitment to health equity is exemplified through its trusted partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), providing comprehensive health services to six elementary and high schools on the north side of Chicago regardless of immigration or insurance status. Those schools include Senn, Sullivan, and Roosevelt High School, as well as Gale, Kilmer, and Hibbard Elementary School. This partnership establishes accessible, community-centered spaces where students and parents can access various healthcare services, including dental care, behavioral health support, vaccinations, and reproductive health services.

“By being located within the schools, students can access services and critical health education that they may not otherwise be able to,” says Chief Executive Officer Nicole Willis. “ In some cases, our SBHCs are students’ only opportunity to receive annual checkups or talk with a therapist about anxiety or depression.”

Dr. Arwady’s address ended with an intimate Q&A with guests. One question came from our Clinical Director, Social Determinants of Health, Mary Dudek.

Her question? What does health equity look like moving forward?

Dr. Arwady responded with, “Covid was a time of relative richness in health care. We could build our plans on equity.  The first example came with contact tracing.  We needed to move fast and we had to involve trusted and connected members of the community. We hired 800 Community Health Workers as contact tracers and over time, they also became the vaccine ambassadors.  This was equity-based work! The lesson we need to take forward from Covid is that equity work has to be maintained even if there is no crisis.  FQHC’s like Tapestry 360 Health are doing this work every day.”

Tapestry 360 Health continues to lead the charge in championing health equity, guided by a vision of inclusive healthcare for everyone. Dr. Allison Arwady’s dedication serves as an inspiration to all, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing public health initiatives.

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