DETROIT – Some medical doctors in Metro Detroit are working to transition their health centers into Help Centers.
Dr. Ted Naman, M.D., and his brother, Dr. Greg Naman, M.D., own Epic Health.
They said their push to rebrand the 11 health centers they own across Metro Detroit is motivated by an increasing need to help seniors gain greater access to social service resources and health care.
Food insecurity and access to health care are challenges in communities across the region. The doctors said they see those barriers often.
“We looked at it, and we said, ok, how do we tackle that,” said Dr. Greg Naman.
The doctors surveyed some of their patients across demographics. They said their health centers are now working to change the dynamics and better address different social determinants of health.
“A lot of them are different insecurities,” Dr. Ted Naman said. “A lot of them is transportation. A lot of it is things like not being able to afford housing. Not being able to afford food., proper food.”
Epic Health announced its new partnership with Focus: HOPE on a food distribution program.
The Detroit-based nonprofit will provide commodity food boxes for seniors through a new program with Epic Health and its clinics.
“When we start talking about eating healthy,” said Dr. Greg Naman. “A lot of our patients tell us I can’t afford food. I don’t even know what eating healthy means.”
With the collaboration, the food boxes are available at any of Epic Health’s 11 clinics across Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties.
The food boxes include nutritious items from the major food groups. They include juices, dairy products, proteins, cereal, grains, and vegetables.
The doctors said their hope with the new program is that it will provide one-stop resources to meet the health and social service needs of some of the community’s most vulnerable members.
“We’re giving them some supplemental food for the month,” said Dr. Naman. “We’re essentially helping, at the same time, all the different health care needs that they have while they’re there. Getting the blood done. Doing an EKG. Maybe an X-ray. Or some other lab work element.”
Eligibility for the Epic Health food and services program requires an in-person application.
Residents must be at least 60 years old and live in either Wayne, Macomb, or Oakland counties. You must also meet specific income requirements.
Click for a listing of EPIC Health locations and more about the food program.
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