South-Florida-based Community Care Plan (CCP), the health plan with a heart, is pleased to announce that CCP’s Senior Director of Community Health, Amy Pont, was awarded the esteemed Manuel Fermin Maternal & Infant Health Award by the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions (FASC). The award is given to an extraordinary individual who has shown leadership, innovation, and exemplary work in improving maternal and infant services in Florida.
This prestigious award celebrates Amy’s dedication to maternal and child health. Amy led CCP’s participation in the Broward Black Maternal Health Collaborative, which was awarded $850,000 in funding from the Health Foundation of South Florida to improve OB outcomes for Black women and support the opening of the Heart Community Resource Center and Broward Healthpoint Maternity Care Center in Lauderdale Lakes. The area has been known as a maternity care desert. Opened earlier this year, the center addresses the health disparities faced by pregnant and post-partum Black women by integrating their social needs and clinical care. Services offered at the centers include:
· OB/GYN services
· Classes such as nutrition, exercise, and breastfeeding
· Community Health Outreach Advocate to refer to community programs and services
· Childcare while at the center
"To be awarded the Manuel Fermin Maternal & Infant Health Award by the Florida Association of Health Starts Coalitions is an incredible honor. We are so proud that the association has recognized Amy Pont for her tireless dedication to maternal and infant health," stated Jessica Lerner, President & CEO of Community Care Plan. "This award is so well-deserved. Amy led our efforts in planning and opening our Heart Community Resource Center in Lauderdale Lakes to improve maternal and infant outcomes by providing access to both medical and social-related services. This recognition celebrates Amy’s commitment and dedication to the community."
The award is made in honor of Manuel "Manny" Fermin. Manny was a devoted, passionate, and visionary leader who cared deeply for the women, mothers, infants, and children in Miami-Dade County during his almost 21-year role as Chief Executive Officer of the Health Start Coalition of Miami-Dade. He also served in leadership roles at the state level with the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions and the Healthy Start MomCare Network. Manny truly believed every baby deserved a healthy start in life. The ripple effects of the life-changing impacts Manny made over the decades will be felt for generations to come.
The Manuel Fermin Maternal & Infant Health Award was presented to Amy Pont at the FAHSC 2024 Annual Awards reception on October 1, 2024**.**
