In order to research their newest community health initiative, the team at His Branches turned to an unconventional source — Spotify. Clinical Project Manager Kate Pagenkemper dove into clinical anecdotes through podcasts like “The Cribsiders,” a show run by pediatric doctors, and has been a developer of the His Branches approach to initial health assessments for refugees.
The team currently runs two neighborhood-based clinics (one on Arnett Boulevard, in the 19th Ward, and one on North Goodman Street in Beechwood). Both locations offer primary, pediatric and women’s health care alongside a mental health counseling program that started in 2021. All offerings are available to patients regardless of insurance status, and the organization acquires the majority of their funding through grants and donations.
Under the leadership of Executive Director Mike Weston, His Branches is expanding their reach in 2025; their aim is to serve 1% of Monroe County patients by the end of the year. That number (7,500 clients) is nearly double the organization’s reported number of patients served in 2023. The over 3,000 refugees coming into the area in this fiscal year will play a significant role in reaching that goal.
“We think we can close the gap of length of life expectancy in number to that of our suburban counterparts,” said Weston.
The dual mental and physical treatment offerings at His Branches make it a prime spot for refugees, some of whom may have undergone years (if not decades) of trauma and hardship waiting to come to America. All refugees are required to receive a health assessment within 60 days of their arrival in the country to ensure their successful resettlement. His Branches has done 24 initial health assessments for refugees over the past few months; all 24 have become recurring patients.
What sets His Branches apart from other medical offerings in the area is their faith-based origin and commitment to underserved communities. Weston, who initially did seminary work before shifting into medical care with His Branches, said personal faith is also a factor for many of the staff; some patients will ask for prayer during their visits. And as a part of their focus on reducing barriers between underserved patients and effective care, His Branches hosts ESL classes for incoming refugees and runs mobile telehealth hubs across the city.
Ruth Redman, a His Branches board member and patient, was born in Cuba. Her family fled to Madrid when she was eight before arriving in Rochester a few years later.
“(At His Branches), I got good medical care, I got good information, my questions were never dismissed, I was heard and seen,” she said.
Redman, who lives in the 19th Ward, recently celebrated 51 years of American residency.
“I know what it’s like to be in a place where no one understands your language … and some of our patients are certainly in that boat,” she said.
His Branches has committed to hiring bilingual medical staff in order to work with Spanish-speaking patients. In addition, the organization utilizes 24/7 virtual translation services for patients who speak other languages. Pagenkemper and Weston also hope to expand the number of staff trained in refugee health assessments.
For someone like Redman, who was fortunate to have a Cuban dentist and a doctor who spoke Spanish before she became fluent in English, all of the services within His Branches are crucial to supporting and retaining patients.
“When the need arises … they can go to His Branches,” she said. “Someone there will be able to meet their needs, and they don’t have to be worried … that someone didn’t understand them fully.”
Alyssa Koh is an intern for CITY. She can be reached at alyssa@rochester-citynews.com.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
