The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is sending a grant to Community Health Centers of Pinellas to help the Tampa Bay area deal with coronavirus.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., who sits on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, announced the $160,000 grant on Thursday.
“Community Health Centers of Pinellas are currently serving as one of the main COVID-19 testing sites for uninsured Pinellas residents,” Crist’s office noted.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the indispensable role our community health clinics play for uninsured and under-insured Americans, and the public health at large,” said Crist. “Without institutions like the Community Health Centers of Pinellas, many low-income residents would be left without any place to turn for care – allowing COVID-19 to spread even faster with devastating results for everyone.
“This grant is a needed boost to this incredible organization and the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers on the front lines of this crisis,” Crist added.
“Founded in 1980 by Dr. Johnnie Ruth Clark to serve the St. Petersburg African-American community, Community Health Centers of Pinellas has grown to serve residents of all areas of Pinellas, with facilities from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. Dedicated to providing holistic, culturally-sensitive care, CHCP provides Family Medicine, Pediatric, OB/GYN, Dental, 340B Pharmacy, Behavioral Health, Nutrition, Exercise, Enrollment Assistance, Chiropractic, and Podiatry services,” the congressman’s office noted.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.