CHALLENGE

Managing a large New York community health center response to COVID-19 pandemic

SOLUTION

COVID-19 hit New York quickly, at one point leading the country in rates of infection. During this period, leaders at one of New York’s largest community health centers had to simultaneously ramp up safety, equipment, and cleaning protocols at all clinics; launch a virtual care model; manage lost revenue; and transition staff to work remotely. Hope worked with leadership of this health center to organize and implement a detailed work­plan to address the pandemic cohesively and comprehensively. She created leadership and meeting struc­tures to address complex implementation aspects of this work-plan, such as identify­ing an appropriate telemedicine vendor and organizing the plan’s roll-out. Hope helped identify and advocate for federal funding opportunities to support this work and offset revenue losses.

RESULTS

  • Telemedicine visits more than doubled in a four-month period, offsetting multi-million dollar revenue losses.

  • The organization’s first remote work policy was implemented; majority of staff transitioned to remote work within one month.

  • Employee exposure and risk assessed via research involving antibody tests.