Metrolina comprehensive health center

16 CASE C. W. Williams Health Center: A Community Asset The Metrolina Health Center was started by Dr. Charles Warren “C. W.” Williams and several medical colleagues with a $25,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. Concerned about the health needs of the poor and wanting to make the world a better place for those less fortunate, Dr. Williams, Charlotte’s first African American to serve on the surgical staff of Charlotte Memorial Hospital (Charlotte’s largest hospital), enlisted the aid of Dr. John Murphy, a local dentist; Peggy Beckwith, director of the Sickle Cell Association; and health planner Bob Ellis to create a health facility for the unserved and underserved population of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The health facility received its corporate status in 1980. Dr. Williams died in 1982 when the health facility was still in its infancy. Thereafter, the Metrolina Comprehensive Health Center was renamed the C. W. Williams Health Center. “We’re celebrating our fifteenth year of operation at C. W. Williams, and I’m celebrating my first full year as CEO,” commented Michelle Marrs. “I’m feeling really good about a lot This case was written by Linda E. Swayne, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Peter M. Ginter, University of Alabama at Birmingham. It is intended as a basis for classroom discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation. Used with permission from Linda Swayne. both16.indd 742 11/11/08 12:28:29 PM C . W . W I L L I A M S H E A LT H C E N T E R : A C O M M U N I T Y A S S E T 743 Exhibit 16/1: C. W. Williams Health Center Mission, Vision, and Values Statements Mission To promote a healthier future for our community by consistently providing excellent, accessible health care with pride, compassion, and respect. Values • Respect each individual, patient, and staff member as well as our community as a valued entity that must be treasured. • Consistently provide the highest quality patient care with pride and compassion. • Partner with other organizations to respond to the social, health, and economic development needs of our community. • Operate in an efficient, well-staffed, comfortable environment as an autonomous and financially sound organization. Vision Committed to the pioneering vision of Dr. Charles Warren Williams, Charlotte’s first Black surgeon, we will move into the twenty-first century promoting a healthier and brighter future for our community. This means: • C. W. Williams Health Center will offer personal, high-quality, affordable, comprehensive health services that improve the quality of life for all. • C. W. Williams Health Center, while partnering with other health care organizations, will expand its high-quality health services into areas of need. No longer will patients be required to travel long distances to receive the medical care they deserve. C. W. Williams Health Center will come to them! • C. W. Williams Health Center will be well managed using state-of-the-art technology, accelerating into the twenty-first century as a leading provider of comprehensive community-based health services. • C. W. Williams Health Center will be viewed as Mecklenburg County’s premier community health agency, providing care with RESPECT: R eliable health care E fficient operations S upportive staff P ersonal care E ffective systems C lean environments T imely services of things – we are fully staffed for the first time in two years, and we are a significant player in a pilot program by North Carolina to manage the health care of Medicaid patients in Mecklenburg County (Charlotte area) through private HMOs.