BALTIMORE, MD (July 29, 2016)– Following a multiple break-ins earlier this month at the Eastern Health Clinic located at 620 N. Caroline Street, the Baltimore City Health Department today hosted a “Day of Appreciation” for staff and community members to celebrate the clinic and highlight the efforts of staff who offer a diverse array of health services for the more than 30,000 patient visits each year.

The break-ins had resulted in property damage and stolen items, such as televisions, laptops, and bus tokens for low-income residents. No patient files or protected health information were compromised during these incidents.

“The recent rash of break-ins at our Eastern Health Clinic have been unsettling and traumatic—but we must never lose sight of our shared goal: serving our community,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. “Today’s event was an opportunity to celebrate the invaluable role that Eastern Clinic plays in our community and to demonstrate the pride we have in our clinic as a neighborhood anchor.”

During Friday’s event, participants worked together to help beautify the clinic, while staff from BCHD provided resources on community-based programs, including services for sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS testing, family planning, maternal and infant health, immunizations, asthma, senior care, cancer screening, lead poisoning prevention services, and others.

Additionally, staff provided education on Zika virus prevention, the dangers of sugar sweetened beverages, and trained residents in the use of naloxone.

“My resolve, and that of our entire staff, remains devoted to serving the ongoing needs of all Baltimoreans, no matter the obstacles,” Dr. Wen added. “We were proud to host today’s event which brought community members, faith leaders, young people and so many others together to rally around Eastern Clinic— a critical health safety-net for our city’s most vulnerable.”