Broward Health Community Health Services will receive $337,400 as part of a $60 million grant awarded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to community health centers located in hurricane-ravaged states and U.S. territories.

The grant will enable Broward Health to hurricane-proof two Broward Health Community Health Services centers affected by hurricane Irma, the Cora E. Braynon Family Health Center and the Bernard P. Alicki Health Center, both in Fort Lauderdale.

“We are grateful to the Department of Health and Human Services for this grant that is designed to ensure continuity of care,” said Beverly Capasso, Broward Health President/CEO. “The refurbishments that will be made with these funds will help minimize service interruptions in the event of a natural disaster.”

The Cora E. Braynon Family Health Center will receive a roof restoration and installation of a 400-amp Manual Transfer Switch (MTS) to protect the sterile environment within the center. The MTS will also enable medical services to resume after a disaster as soon as the roads are cleared, even in the event of a power outage.

A new fixed generator will be purchased and installed at the The Bernard P. Alicki Health Center, which will allow for healthcare to be provided prior to power restoration, which can take weeks.

HHS grant dollars come from a disaster relief package included in the Bipartisan Budget Act, H.R. 1892 (115), which was signed into law in February. The money was directed to a total of 161 community health centers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Broward Health, providing service for more than 80 years, is a nationally recognized system in South Florida that offers world-class healthcare to all. The Broward Health system includes the statutory teaching hospital Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston, Broward Health Community Health Services, Broward Health Physician Group, Broward Health Urgent Care, Broward Health International, and Broward Health Foundation. For more information, visit BrowardHealth.org.