Otis Moss Jr. Health Center

     My time at the Otis Moss Jr. Health Center (OMJ-HC) has been good. Upon arrival I was more anxious to see the community, the facility, and meet the staff and patients. This health care facility is located in the Fairfax Community which is predominantly African Americans. This community has two special characteristics, the elderly and/or retired individuals who have a strong religious faith. Every block at least has one church. Obviously like many other communities throughout the state of Ohio and nationwide, this community has experienced a downward turn in the economy. However

over the past few years local and national development groups have been rejuvenating this community.

     The OMJ-HC is a satellite, outpatient community health center for the University Hospitals. It was established in 1997 by an African American, Reverend Otis Moss Jr. and the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church which is across the street. They not only serve the residents in the Fairfax community but also provide care to anyone and everyone. This cozy and small two story building houses various specialty areas such as primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and podiatry. It currently employs a staff of fourteen. It offers various educational health prevention and management classes and participates in many local health fairs and seminars.

     Since I am from the island of St. Thomas (STT), United States Virgin Islands (USVI) OMJ’s small setting was one of familiarity and ease. Having and keeping an open mind about the patients community, cultural, educational, and social facets allows for me to adapt. They were many similarities with this facility compared to those in my native home. These similarities are simple things such as greeting someone or a room filled with people by saying good morning and common courtesy and respect in all interactions between staff and patients.

     The USVI is made up of four islands and a few cays. There two major hospitals (STT and St. Croix (STX)) and one clinic (St. John (STJ)). Transportation between these islands is either by air or sea. This has created us to become very efficient in providing optimum health care. I also see a duplicate within the OMJ-HC because it is a unique one-stop shop in this community. At this moment we are preparing to host three diabetes classes for our capstone project. Over the past few weeks I have enjoyed and learned a great amount of historical information about the OMJ-HC, the community, and the city of Cleveland.