Urban Health Plan, Inc., (UHP) is a federally qualified community health center licensed as a diagnostic and treatment center under Article 28 of the New York State Public Health Law and accredited by the Joint Commission. UHP is in its 40th year of providing comprehensive and affordable primary and specialty health care services to the Hunts Point, Mott Haven and Morrisania sections of the Bronx. Its facilities include its main site, eight satellites, ten school health programs, three part-time facilities, and three administrative/program sites that house its WIC program, as well as other grant funded programs.
UHP began in 1974 as an evolution of a group practice with the mission of providing basic and specialty medical care, comparable to those found in local hospital outpatient clinics, to the community's predominantly Hispanic and poor residents. It is the brainchild of Dr. Richard Izquierdo, a life-long resident of the South Bronx and a pediatrician/family practitioner. Concerned by his community's declining health status, and unable to meet the demand for primary medical service in his burgeoning private practice, Dr. Izquierdo sought to expand his practice into an HMO-style practice that offered care in a consistent, cost-effective and managed manner. Because of the lack of primary care services in the area, many residents had grown accustomed to waiting out long lines in local hospital emergency rooms for routine medical care or for the treatment of acute medical conditions, which could have been prevented if diagnosed earlier. Dr. Izquierdo opened the San Juan Health Center in 1967. Seven years later, UHP, a private, non-profit corporation licensed by the Department of Health, was established to broaden the scope of the work started by the San Juan Health Center.
UHP is designated NYS Preferred Primary Care Provider, Prenatal Care Assistance Provider, an HIV Primary Care Provider, and a WIC provider. Over the years, UHP has formed alliances with several community-based organizations to provide health care services in alternate delivery sites. These sites consist of local schools, an adult day treatment program, a Boys and Girls Club, and homeless shelters.
The agency is affiliated with Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, and Jacobi Medical Center.
UHP has been actively involved with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Primary Health Care Health Care Disparities Collaboratives and has received national recognition for its performance improvement work. Its work with the asthmatic population in the South Bronx has greatly contributed to the reduction in pediatric hospitalizations related to asthma as reported by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Joint Commission highlighted UHP as a "Spotlight on Success" for this work. UHP has recently initiated the "UHP Institute for the Advancement of Community Health" as the cornerstone for all of its performance improvement and safety initiatives. Through these efforts, we have developed an outstanding Health Education Department developed a program of community health workers who serve as adjuncts to the care that is provided within their facilities.
New York is the most populous city in the United States. A global power city, New York exerts a significant impact upon commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment. The home of the United Nations Headquarters, New York is an important center for international diplomacy and has been described as the cultural capital of the world.
Many districts and landmarks in New York City have become well known to its 50 million annual visitors. Times Square, iconified as "The Crossroads of the World", is the brightly illuminated hub of the Broadway theatre district and a major center of the world's entertainment industry. New York City's financial district, anchored by Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, has been called the world's leading financial center and is home to the New York Stock Exchange.
When people think of New York City, Manhattan is often the first place they picture. It’s no wonder: the borough is home to big-name attractions, such as Central Park, the Empire State Building, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the High Line and One World Observatory; world-class museums, restaurants and concert halls; and the bright lights of Times Square and Broadway. But there's more to the borough than the obvious sights. Manhattan contains charming neighborhoods and hidden green spaces, trendy boutiques and classic bars.
The City of New York has a complex park system. The Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island Immigration Museum are managed by the National Park Service. They are joined in the harbor by Governors Island National Monument, located in New York. Historic sites include Castle Clinton National Monument, Federal Hall National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial, and Hamilton Grange National Memorial.
There are seven state parks within the confines of New York City, including Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve, and the Riverbank State Park. New York City has over 28,000 acres of municipal parkland and 14 miles of public beaches. Parks in New York City include Central Park, Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Forest Park, and Washington Square Park.
Central Park is an urban oasis. The 843-acre green space features rolling meadows, peaceful bodies of water and stunning vistas, bringing a sense of calm to the otherwise busy City. The range of activities you can take part in here is nearly unparalleled: hiking, biking, ice-skating, fishing, visiting the Central Park Zoo, seeing a formal English garden and, during the summer months, lounging on a picnic blanket and listening to a live concert.
No NYC neighborhood has greater historical resonance than Lower Manhattan. This is, after all, where the City began—a fact evident in the asymmetrical lanes that were footpaths and canals well before the skyscrapers came. Sights like Trinity Church, Federal Hall, Wall Street, One World Trade, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum are centuries apart in their creation, but all bring undeniable emotional impact. Lower Manhattan’s role in American finance looms large too, but that doesn’t mean it’s a stuffy nine-to-five district; a thriving restaurant and shopping scene, anchored by Brookfield Place, draws visitors in equal numbers to power brokers.
From the moment, you see the glow of the glittering signage, it’s clear that Times Square is as New York as it gets. Everything here is massive and high voltage: theme restaurants like the Hard Rock Cafe, clubs like B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, and the spectacle of Broadway theater are just a few examples. Why do visitors love this place? Because it is undeniably awe-inspiring. Several large hotels are in the center of the action, so you'll able to find a room to suit your taste. When you want to go big, go here.