Strategies for a Healthier Community

Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, a Boston-based health center in the heart of the Fenway neighborhood, wanted to build a patient base for its new staff pediatrician. As business development coordinator, Sally Lane Smith researched the needs in the community, identifying a segment of the market—Hispanic women on welfare—who where ready to return to the workplace. Further exploration highlighted that these women, while ready and willing to work, did not want to leave their kids at home with just anyone. SeaChange worked with Dr. Montenez, HVMA’s new Spanish-speaking pediatrician, to organize a basic first aid and child safety seminar, inviting area mothers and their potential babysitters. The program was a great success, with attending mothers delighted that their sitters were well trained in emergencies. In addition, these happy moms were so impressed that they signed up with Dr. Montanez as the primary care doctor for their children.