1. Community Mental Health Program

Part of the Teaching Training Model, our OPGHI Community Counseling Program was designed to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues and to promote awareness about the importance of receiving mental health care. OPGHI Community Counseling program provides mental health services to individuals, couples and families in local communities, regardless of ability to pay. Our programs offer a range of services, including individual and group therapy. By providing services in the community, these programs are easier for people to access, improving overall well-being and quality of life. Services are offered in person and via telehealth by licensed professionals and supervised clinical interns with excellent clinical skills and a passion for helping individuals, couples, and families deal with important emotional, psychological, and physical challenges. 

2. Integrated Behavioral Health in Musculoskeletal Medicine Program

Musculoskeletal or Orthopedic impairments, such as those caused by injuries or chronic conditions like arthritis, can have a significant impact on an individual’s overall feelings of well-being. Chronic pain associated with these impairments are often treated with medications known to cause addiction and can lead to sleep disturbances, poor mood, social isolation, and unhealthy coping mechanisms including substance misuse. People with musculoskeletal health conditions may experience symptoms of depression and anxiety resulting from the limitations and pain caused by their condition. Because this may impact their family, home and even employment, they may also experience a loss of self-esteem and self-worth, these conditions can greatly affect an individual’s quality of life. One Patient Global Health Initiative understood the significance of addressing the physical, mental and substance related health concerns, simultaneously. 

One Patient Global Health Initiative is home to a unique Integrated Behavioral Health program, combining the power of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Behavioral Health and Substance Use Monitoring. By providing coordinated care in one location, our program makes it more convenient for individuals to access the care they need with providers who co-manage their cases improving overall treatment outcomes. 

3. Musculoskeltal (Orthopedic) Health Program

Finding specialty Musculoskeletal care in underserved areas can be difficult, for a variety of reasons. This is an important measure of care because Musculoskeletal health programs can treat and reduce the risk of injury, illness, disability, and improve the quality of life. OPGHI’s Musculoskeletal Health Program is committed to providing specialty care in underserved communities with the goal of preventing and managing conditions that affect the muscles, bones, and joints to improve overall fitness, reduce pain and discomfort, and increase mobility and independence. These medical services are available several days during the week and are available to all patients.

4. Training and Educational Program

Medical Students

One Patient Global Health Initiative’s Training and Education division strongly believes in a Teaching and Learning Model.  Many medical students and recent graduates report having little to no training, feeling ill prepared to deal with factors contributing to health disparities. This significant lack of understanding of the social determinants of health among healthcare providers can lead to perceived lack of empathy and understanding of the impact of patient socio-economic conditions. Whether actual or perceived, patients report feeling dismissed or judged because of their socioeconomic status. For those in the medical field it is critical to possess the knowledge of and practice towards improving social determinants of health.  If this aspect of a student’s education is deficient, patients suffer.  

OPGHI has developed a multifaceted approach that includes efforts to improve access to healthcare and cultural competency training for future healthcare providers. By training these students to identify and address the underlying social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to health disparities, OPGHI emphasizes a model of empathy, skill, and building bidirectional trust. 

Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

Historically mental health counseling has failed to be considered a priority within poor communities. Despite how far we have come as a society, there are still cultural and societal beliefs stigmatizing those seeking help for mental health issues. Some see mental health as a sign of weakness or personal failure.  Others are simply focused on addressing more immediate needs such as food and housing. 

OPGHI believes that best way to guarantee services to marginalized patients and communities is to refrain from suggesting they don’t exist.  By exposing future counseling professionals to this demographic, they can be trained to provide ethical and equitable service to all clients, regardless of their socio-economic status. This requires working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those who are not known for accepting this type of care. In this teaching and training program, emphasis is placed on the skill to navigate a wide range of issues in a therapeutic setting. Interns are taught the importance of and ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity, humility and understanding of the systemic issues that contribute to poverty. Interns are trained in alternative forms of therapy including telehealth or community-based interventions, to help bridge the gap and provide much needed access to mental health services for low- and no-income individuals. OPGHI highlights the need for affordable and accessible therapy to individuals living in poverty, many of whom may have had limited access to mental health services.  Mental health should not be a luxury offered only to those who can afford the service.

5.  Community Wellness Programs

OPGHI provides ongoing support to the community through a wide range wellness programs designed to foster a sense of community and social connectedness which have been shown to have positive effects on mental and physical health and overall well-being. Our Community programs address a wide range of health issues, including musculoskeletal wellness, mental health support, substance abuse prevention, healthy/mindful eating, and physical activity promotion. These programs encourage prevention and proactive access to healthcare, helping to reduce health disparities and improve access in underserved populations. 

Smoking Cessation Groups

Weight Loss/Management Support Groups

Grief and Loss Groups

Stress Management Groups

Proper Posture and Body Mechanics

Injury Prevention Strategies Consultation

In 2020 and 2021 considering the continued devastation of the pandemic, OPGHI continued to shift its primary focus to life saving efforts.  Despite holding fewer in person public events, our commitment to treatment, training, and education remained heightened. OPGHI adapted visits to support all patients, with special emphasis on millennials, senior citizens, and people with health vulnerabilities. In addition, the procurement and delivery of PPE remained a priority with distribution teams mobilized around the clock.