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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-141
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
December 1, 2015
To recognize and honor Unity Health Care, Inc. on its 30th anniversary of service to the residents of the District of Columbia, and to declare December 4, 2015, as “Unity Health Care Day” in the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, a dedicated group of visionaries and advocates came together in 1985 to address the health care needs of the growing number of homeless individuals in the District of Columbia, and through their hard work and commitment the Health Care for the Homeless Project was born;
WHEREAS, the efforts of those early founders, including Dr. Jesse B. Barber, Jr., a medical and civic leader of the District of Columbia, and Dr. Janelle Goetcheus, Unity Health Care’s Chief Medical Officer, took root and the Health Care for the Homeless Project became a vital part of the lives of homeless individuals in the District;
WHEREAS, the Health Care for the Homeless Project sponsored a number of health and human service programs including mobile outreach clinics, specialized HIV services, and clinics at the Federal City Shelter;
WHEREAS, Vincent A. Keane was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer in 1990, and in 1997, the organization changed its name to Unity Health Care, Inc. when it was asked by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to take over the operations of 2 health centers in the District and broaden its mission to serve the uninsured, the working poor, immigrants, and Medicaid/Medicare patients;
WHEREAS, under Mr. Keane’s leadership, Unity Health Care has become the largest nonprofit organization providing primary medical care to the uninsured and medically underserved residents of the District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, Unity Health Care offers a full range of health care services to over 100,000 patients at sites located in the heart of every neighborhood, and Unity Health Care employs over 900 health care professionals in the District of Columbia; and
WHEREAS, Unity Health Care’s services to individuals incarcerated at the D.C. Jail received the 2008 “Program of the Year” award by the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare from among over 500 prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers across the United States.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Unity Health Care 30th Anniversary Recognition Resolution of 2015”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia congratulates Unity Health Care on 30 years of service to medically underserved residents in the District, and declares December 4, 2015, as “Unity Health Care Day” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
