Our Mission, Vision & Values

We believe health is a state of physical, social, economic, psychological well-being. There is a social component in the origin and course of disease; therefore, to promote health, we support grassroots community action and change in public policy and social structure.

Mission: To improve the health of the Bronx community and beyond, we strive to: (1) provide exemplary community-oriented primary care and preventive services across the life cycle; (2) train outstanding primary care physicians who integrate the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of health; (3) generate new knowledge and innovations in primary care, medical education, and population health; (4) advocate for public health and health equality; and (5) honor the practice of mutual respect, collaboration, and healing relationships.

Our residency program is designed to provide training the following areas.

PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES: 

To develop the problem-solving skills necessary to provide comprehensive, continuous medical care. 

  • Clinical Skills: To apply an evidence-based approach to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as current principles of health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education to the management of health problems.
  • Behavioral Skills: To become proficient in medical interviews and develop the ability to make accurate and effective psychosocial assessments, interventions, and referrals for individuals and families.
  • Team Skills: To function effectively in delivering comprehensive care as a member of an interdisciplinary health team.
  • Advocacy Skills: To secure needed services for patients while empowering them to be effective advocates for themselves.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE:

To promote the skills necessary to work with communities and defined populations in identifying problems and developing, managing, and changing health care programs and institutions to solve them. 

  • Health System Skills: To analyze and affect the complex factors related to planning, organizing, financing, and managing health systems, including both ambulatory and hospital-based care.
  • Community and Organizational Skills: To understand cultural, economic, and political factors related to community power structure, decision-making, and economic development, to promote health.
  • Research and Evaluation Skills: To evaluate the quality and effects of health care and to assess epidemiologic research in community-oriented primary care.
  • Educational and Teaching Skills: To teach ourselves, our patients, and our colleagues. 

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:

To promote the habits and skills necessary for continuing self-education and professional development. 

  • Self-development: To set career and personal goals and determine how to reach them.
  • Values Clarification: To understand conflicting values and to explore these within the context of cultural diversity, medical ethics, and interdisciplinary teams.
  • Residency Program Management: To collaborate in planning of RPSM (Residency Program in Social Medicine) goals and objectives, to share the responsibilities of its operation and management, and to engage in its on-going evaluation.
  • Leadership Skills: To provide opportunities to develop administrative, grant-writing, and advocacy skills for social change.