Responding to COVID-19 - Callen-Lorde

Responding to COVID-19

Two medical assistants stand by the front door of our health center passing our masks to patients

 

Much has changed in the world, in New York, and at Callen-Lorde. We are continuing to care for our communities as we have for over 50 years with compassion, with dignity, and regardless of ability to pay.

Our staff continue to be on the front lines throughout this unprecedented event, screening patients for symptoms by phone, providing behavioral health visits remotely, and delivering medications at no cost. I am in awe of our staff for their dedication, courage, and flexibility, and continue to be so incredibly grateful for the unwavering commitment from everyone at Callen-Lorde.

We have enacted a number of changes to our service and operations to ensure that we keep our staff and patients healthy during this time. We have consolidated clinical operations to 18th Street in Chelsea our hours are now Monday Friday, from 9:00am-5:00pm. We are instructing all patients to call ahead so that they can be phone screened before coming in, and we are providing virtual visits where possible. Our pharmacies in the Bronx and in Chelsea are also open from 9:00am 5:00pm, with medication deliveries going out at all hours.

We have moved the majority of our services to a telehealth model something that typically can take weeks or even months to set up – in just a few short days. We are rotating our staff to give everyone time to rest and recover, helping to keep our staff well, so we can continue to keep our communities healthy.

In the case that a “Shelter in Place” order is put into effect, we want everyone to know that this excludes healthcare staff and people receiving healthcare services. Healthcare staff are considered essential, and people in need of health services should continue to seek them out by calling their providers.

For those who are looking for a way to help, here are a few things you can do:

  • Stay home if possible, to promote social distancing as much as you can
  • If you need to access our services, PLEASE call ahead 212.271.7200
  • If you are in a position to donate to support our response to this crisis, please click here

The novel coronavirus pandemic is already proving much of what we have long known – healthcare is a right, not a privilege. We will continue to show up for each other, and for you.

In gratitude,

Wendy Stark
Executive Director