We recently recognized the Family Health Center in Laurel, Mississippi for its outstanding cancer screening efforts. It was one of only 17 centers to receive a National Quality Leader badge.
Key factors in our success include a team approach and using electronic health records to closely track patient needs, said Dr. Richard Ali. Dr. Ali is chief executive officer as well as chief of obstetrics and gynecology.
Family Health screens for breast and cervical cancer on site and refers patients out for colon cancer screenings, Ali said.
Interdisciplinary teams of providers and social workers follow up with patients to ensure they get the screenings they need.
Family Health arranges rides for patients who need the screenings, providing this critical service in its largely rural service area, said Lee Eric Smith, director of marketing and communications.
“When we talk about transportation issues here, walking just isn’t realistic,” Smith said.
Family Health offers services at sites in five different towns across a sprawling, five-county service area. It also added a larger mobile clinic in 2022. The mobile unit can visit sites such as schools, community centers, and houses of worship.