LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Community
Healthcare Network

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
commend and recognize those esteemed institutions within the medical
community for their extraordinary and sustained contributions to the
improvement of life; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality of life in the communities across this great State of New
York is enriched by the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organ-
izations of distinction whose singular purpose is the care and welfare
of others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 30th Anniversary of Community Healthcare Network on Wednesday,
October 19, 2011, in New York City; and
WHEREAS, Community Healthcare Network is a not-for-profit organization
that provides access to quality, culturally competent and comprehensive
community-based primary care, mental health care and social services for
diverse populations in underserved communities throughout New York City;
and
WHEREAS, For almost 30 years, Community Healthcare Network (CHN) has
been committed to meeting the health care needs of New York City resi-
dents; in the late 1960s, a group of storefront clinics in New York City
began dedicating themselves to offering family planning services; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, to strengthen management and administration of these
12 community-based health care centers, the Community Family Planning
Council was established; the clinics soon expanded to include primary
care, mental health and social services; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, the name was changed to Community Healthcare Network
to better reflect its comprehensive array of services; since its incep-
tion, the agency has grown tremendously in response to such social
crises as unequal distribution of medical care, adolescent pregnancy,
AIDS, inner city poverty and homelessness; and
WHEREAS, Some of Community Healthcare Network's achievements through-
out the years include: becoming the first family planning provider in
New York State to offer prenatal care and professional social work
services; becoming the first mobile health unit in the country offering
full HIV medical services, prenatal care and family planning services;
becoming one of the first providers in the nation to use the OraQuick
rapid HIV test, which provides results in 20 minutes by testing oral
fluid or a drop of blood; obtaining accreditation received by the Joint
Commission; and providing the implementation of electronic health
records completed at all of its health centers; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Community Healthcare Network; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Catherine M. Abate, President and CEO, Community Healthcare
Network.