Detroit Health Department Opens Wellness Centers For Women, Children

Category: News Briefs Published on Wednesday, 18 August 2010 15:15 Written by Chronicle Staff

The Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion (DHWP) has opened its Women and Children’s Health and Wellness Centers to all Detroit residents at two locations.  The Department hosted an open house at the west side location at the south end of Bushnell Congregational Church on July 12.

Services at Matrix are provided in collaboration with Henry Ford Health System Institute on Multicultural Health.  Each of the open houses is open to the public and residents are encouraged to come out and learn about the services that are offered at the centers.

“We are pleased to provide public health in the heart of the neighborhood,” said Dr. Yvonne E. Anthony, DHWP director and public health officer.  “These two centers give Detroiters easy access to services that promote health and wellness.”

The Wellness Centers, funded by a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, were established to provide a holistic spectrum of health education and health promotion/prevention services: family planning, obstetrics, family medicine, pediatric medicine, oral health, and nutrition & fitness services.  There are a number of prevention-based programs including domestic violence, depression, substance abuse, lead poisoning, HIV testing and counseling, and educational seminars.

The Wellness Centers serve all residents, regardless of insurance status. Bushnell is  open Monday to Thursday from noon to 6:30 p.m.  Matrix will is open Monday to Wednesday and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Audrey E. Smith, general manager of Community Health Services for DHWP emphasized the importance of the locations of the centers.

“The centers are strategically placed near Head Start program locations to better serve mothers and children in Detroit.  Although their focus is women and children, the programs are available to men and women of all ages.”

Dr. Anthony added, “We will continue to serve residents in ways that are convenient for them.”

For more information contact Brian Frey at (313) 870-0631 or e-mail him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .