Dorchester community health center in dire need resources receives tools to directly address pandemic
(Boston, Mass) April 27, 2020 – In the fight against COVID-19, Helge Capital, a Boston-based real estate firm, has donated medical equipment and supplies to Codman Square Health Center. Located in the heart of Dorchester, the nonprofit Codman is in dire straits as its resources have been depleted while working to serve patients in one of Boston’s most vulnerable communities during the coronavirus outbreak. Helge Capital Founder and CEO Oleg Uritsky delivered 70 units of Oximeter Blood Oxygen and Blood Pressure Monitors and 20 boxes of energy bars and other individually wrapped snacks for Codman staff.
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on the socially disadvantaged. Codman Square Health Center serves as the principal option for affordable, quality, primary and preventative care in the community. Codman is the safety net for Dorchester and Mattapan, serving more than 23,000 patients each year, 87% of whom live below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. This neighborhood health center has seen a dramatic loss in income during the past month and more help is urgently needed. Codman serves as an essential provider during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the clinical, social and economic needs of its patients and to prevent unnecessary visits to the emergency department and hospital.
Mr. Uritsky had envisioned the shortage of certain medical equipment two months earlier based on events taking place in Europe. While it was still widely available, he then purchased a portable ventilator/BiPAP, oxygen concentrator and a supply of hyrdroxychloroquine with azithromycin for his family home use to prepare for the pandemic. “I believe it’s critical for Codman to have enough tools to assess the oxygen and blood pressure levels of COVID-19 and other patients and for the scarce medical resources to be used appropriately,” said Uritsky. “I know enough about shortages of medical resources that can devastate people’s lives.” Standing by its longstanding commitment to giving back to the community, Helge Capital decided to donate these specific items.
Helge Capital owns a residential portfolio of properties in Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury and Hyde Park and self-manages its properties through an affiliate, Advanced Property Management.
Codman Square Health Center is still in urgent need of donations due to COVID-19. To donate, please visit GoFundMe. To learn more about Codman Square Health Center, search Facebook or Twitter @codmanhealth or visit www.Codman.org.
In photo: Helge Capital donated medical equipment and supplies to Codman Square Health Center. Pictured outside Codman are (Left to right) Florence Maceus, Licensed Practical Nurse at Codman; Naomie Raymond, 340B Pharmacy Support Specialist at Codman; Eliott Rousseau, Grant Manager at Codman; Oleg Uritsky, CEO at Helge Capital.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
