Holly Park

ICHS Clinics Receive 2020 Immunize Washington Awards

Posted on by Theo Bickel

Immunize WA Award

Fifth consecutive year ICHS named Gold Level Provider

International Community Health Services (ICHS) has been recognized for its success protecting children through vaccination. All four of ICHS’s medical and dental clinics were honored with gold or silver level awards in the 2020 Immunize Washington Provider Recognition Program.

 

ICHS Clinic

Child Immunization Rates

Teen Immunization Rates

Holly Park

86%  Gold Medal

92% Gold Medal

Chinatown-International District

99% Gold Medal

93% Gold Medal

Shoreline

93% Gold Medal

82% Gold Medal

Bellevue

79%  Silver Medal

N/A   

“Immunizations provide a safe, proven defense to help parents make sure children grow up strong and healthy,” says Dr. Asqual Getaneh, ICHS chief medical officer. “They provide almost complete protection against serious diseases like measles, which still plagues some U.S. communities. Not only that, but getting vaccinated helps protect everyone, even those who are not vaccinated, by contributing to herd immunity and lowering the overall risk of infection.”

One component of ICHS’s success was proactive outreach efforts by Carmina Caoile, ICHS population health coordinator. Caoile made phone calls to ICHS patients and answered questions about cost. In Washington, youth younger than 19 can receive immunizations for free.

Caoile also represented ICHS at local health fairs to share educational materials and developed a ‘Super Kid’ incentive to make immunizations less scary. Young patients became an “ICHS Super Kid” after getting shots, complete with fun costumes, photos and certificates.

“Our young patients really enjoyed dressing up and posing for photos” Caoile shared. “Having a reward at the end motivated them to do their part to help fight disease.”

Research shows that healthcare professionals are the most trusted source of information for parents when it comes to vaccines for their children.

The full 2020 Immunize Washington awardee list can be found here. This year marks the fifth consecutive year that ICHS has achieved gold status.

Katharine (Kat) Chen

Location:

Holly Park

Language:

English, Mandarin, French

Medical Degree:

Masters in Clinical Social Work

Education:

MSW, Seattle University
BA, University of Washington

certification:

SUPT, LSWAIC

Why I Work at ICHS:

I believe that community health centers are integral to closing the health disparity gap and adding cultural awareness to physical and mental health care. I work at ICHS for their emphasis on community care.

Patient Care Philosophy:

As a substance use and mental health professional, I believe in harm reduction and working as a team with my patients to help them reach their goals.

Interesting Note About Myself:

I worked in the restaurant industry for many years and love to eat different kinds of food.

Carmen Mei

Location:

Holly Park

Language:

English

Degree:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Education:

University of Illinois at Chicago, DNP
Georgetown University, BSN

Certification:

Family Nurse Practitioner- AANP Certified (FNP-C)

Why I Work at ICHS:

I am passionate about ICHS’s mission and vision to provide high-quality, culturally sensitive care to patients, families, and communities. I enjoy working alongside my colleagues who share the same goal of ensuring that every patient receives high-quality, comprehensive care.

Patient Care Philosophy:

I strongly believe in collaborative, patient-centered care to work with my patients as a team to achieve their health and wellness goals. My favorite part of being a health care provider is building trusting relationships with my patients to better understand and serve them.

Interesting Note About Myself:

I was born and raised in the Chicago Chinatown community. In my free time, I like to travel, cook, and hang out with my two cats Amelie and Leon.