Men Take Action! Whittier Street Health Center Hosts Free Health Event For Men And Their Families

Men’s Health Summit Also Honors Eight Outstanding Public Health Allies Against Racial Disparity

ROXBURY – There’s a steel band and free food. But that’s not all. Free Covid-19 testing and vaccines, health screenings and access to medical experts through the dual lens of men’s health and racial equity are the focus of the Men’s Health Summit at the Whittier Street Health Center (WSHC) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 26 at its Roxbury campus.

“We’re bringing access to post-pandemic health care back to the community. We are leveling the disparity and removing the barriers to health care like transportation and insurance. We’ve been very good about removing those barriers,” said WSHC President Frederica Williams. “This is not only for men but for entire families. We are seeing, post-Covid, a rise in substance abuse, mental health issues and other health issues, even in children. People have gotten sicker.”

The day-long summit will also feature male honorees who support a community-focused network that engages residents at all points of care as a priority to achieve racial equality in integrated services including primary care, dental and eye care and behavioral health.

“We are delivering affordable health care as well as closing the systemic disparities for Black and Brown people,” said Williams, who is a long-time advocate and champion for communities of color. “This is taking service to a new level.”

The summit’s keynote speaker is Marty Martinez, chief of health and human services for the City of Boston. He will be honored along with seven other “champions” of men’s health needs:

• Jim Hunt III of Dorchester, executive vice president, regulatory affairs, and chief communications officer at Eversouce,
• Samuel Acevedo of Somerville, associate pastor of Congregation Leon De Juda.
• Eddie Jenkins of Roxbury, attorney, Eddie Jenkins and Associates.
• Christo Kamara of Hyde Park, senior pastor, St. Paul’s Victory, Assembly of God Church.
• Theodore C. Landmark of Boston, distinguished professor of public policy and urban affairs, Northeastern University.
• Ed Gaskin of Randolph, Greater Grove Hall Main Streets.
• Leonard Webb of Hamden, Conn., publisher, Ethnic Online.

A special Father’s Day Brunch will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Boxed lunches will also be on hand as will a steel drum band and a special section for youth.

The summit will include a landmark ribbon cutting for WSHC: the unveiling of its new, state-of-the-art mobile van sporting two exam rooms, a lab and a bilingual staff including a medical doctor, a registered nurse and a social worker. The van, the center’s fourth and its largest, will target summer programs at neighborhood schools to provide a variety of services to children.

“Our pediatricians tell us vaccinations overall are declining,” Williams said. “So are well visits.”

For more information or to schedule an interview please contact Mary Helen Gillespie of Colette Phillips Communications Inc. at 617 357 5777.