When the movie, Fort Apache the Bronx, was being filmed some 25 years ago, I hunted the filmmakers down and asked them why they were making this biased movie about the community that I treasured. The images they were painting of the South Bronx as a violent haven for illegal drugs that was characterized by sleazy characters who would do anything for a buck did not resemble the vibrant community that I knew. Today, although there is still great need, the South Bronx is slowly thriving.

The South Bronx in 2006 is a complex mixture of long-time residents, mostly of Hispanic and African American descent, coupled with a large influx of new immigrants. The hustle and bustle of everyday living in this borough of New York City — one of the wealthiest cities in the world — belies some startling facts. Bronx County is the fourth poorest county in the United States and the poorest in New York State. Additionally, UHP's catchment area is located in the poorest congressional district in the country. These rankings are especially shocking because at a glance, the South Bronx is like every other urban city. However, while there has been much urban renewal, there is still more work to be done.

After 31 years as the only health care provider in our catchment area, UHP knows the South Bronx. Sixty-seven percent of residents in our catchment area live below 200% of the poverty level. Seventy-five percent of the area's population 25 years of age and older have less than a high school education. The Bronx has one of the highest asthma rates in the country. These and other disturbing data, paint a dismal portrait of the South Bronx, however, they do not tell the whole story. For the rest of the tale lies in the incredible courage and strength of the patients and community we serve. South Bronx residents, although burdened by poverty and illness — the area has been designated a medically underserved area — are remarkably resilient and possess a generosity of spirit one might not expect from people of such modest means.

UHP is the largest employer in our zip code, and our staff and volunteers are largely comprised of neighborhood residents. Over the years, my respect has deepened as I have observed their selfless efforts on behalf of patients and the community. Last year, several UHP employees "adopted" a little homeless Mexican girl. By the time I learned of the child's plight, staff members had already purchased food and clothing for her and found shelter for the girl and her brother. And...it was the generous contributions of UHP employees that made possible the Health Spot, UHP's newest innovation in health education. There our patients and visitors can learn about health conditions affecting them from trained staff and volunteers.

UHP plays a vital role in the life rhythms of the South Bronx as a provider of quality health care, employment opportunities and lovely surroundings for our patients. UHP's state-of-the-art headquarters is so impressive that people can easily get caught up in the bricks and mortar and forget about why we were so diligent about creating a health center that was comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. In fact, as we were drawing up plans for the facility, someone asked me why I was so intent on making it beautiful. I was stunned, but my answer came speedily: my community. South Bronx residents deserve the best of everything and that's what Urban is committed to providing.

This website will not only give you information about our services and programs, but it will also showcase our successes and achievements, from our asthma program that is among the best in the country to our a commitment to our employees, exemplified by our newly revamped Center for Learning and Professional Development. Through this website, we hope that those of you who are unfamiliar with the South Bronx will get to know the people, staff and neighborhood that make up the Urban Health Plan community. "The Health Center With a Heart." That's UHP's slogan and it guides the way we do business. We are truly proud to be the healthcare provider of note in the South Bronx. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes that possible.

Paloma Hernandez President & CEO