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Seniors at the Morris H. Blum Senior
Apartments in downtown Annapolis are
among a group of citizens benefitting
from a new healthcare reform model that
makes care accessible and affordable in
their neighborhood.
Prompted by legislation passed in
2012 by the Maryland General Assembly
designating five Health Enterprise
Zones, the Annapolis Community
Health Partnership opened the AAMC
Community Clinic at Morris H. Blum
in October 2013. The Partnership
consists of AAMC, the Housing
Authority of the City of Annapolis,
the City of Annapolis, and the Anne
Arundel County Departments of Health
and Aging and Disabilities with funding
through the Maryland Community
Healthcare Commission. The goal is
With some encouragement from
AAMC nurses, seniors at the
Morris H. Blum Senior Apartments
in downtown Annapolis began a
walking group.
Walking
the Walk
The group averages about 2,500 steps daily on their walks.
to reduce health disparities among
racial and ethnic minority populations,
improve healthcare access and outcomes
in underserved communities, and reduce
healthcare costs.
Residents already see the benefits.
With some encouragement from AAMC
nurses, a group of residents began a
walking group. One resident began
with a walker and frequent breaks—she
is now doing three laps and has lower
blood pressure. Another has lost 10
pounds; her friend has lost 17 pounds.
They average about 2,500 steps daily on
their walks.
“We walk Monday through Friday at
7am,” says Brenda Williams, the resident
who started the group. “It’s not a race. We
just walk around the building. It makes
us feel good.”
Learn more about Morris
H. Blum and other AAMC
Community Clinics at
AAMCcommunityclinics.org
.
