Description
The development of Bronx-Lebanon Integrated Services System (BLISS) began with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Health Center (MLK) as one of the first and largest community health centers funded by the Office of Economic Opportunity. In 1967 MLK opened its doors as a free standing community health center, Public Health Service grantee. MLK was a direct recipient of HRSA funding until the late 1980's, and is the third-oldest FQHC in the country.
From December 1979-1986, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center (BLHC) was awarded a $1.075 million grant by the Bureau of Community Health Services to develop an Ambulatory Care Network (ACN) to provide comprehensive, continuous, and coordinated health care for the residents of Community Planning Districts #4 and #5.
ACN was established as the ambulatory care services component for the emergency and acute inpatient services of the Concourse Division Hospital of BLHC.
In 1986-1996, the Bronx Ambulatory Care Network (BACN), a free-standing, not-for-profit corporation, was funded by PHS under the Section 330 Grant Program. BACN contracted with BLHC and Montefiore Hospital Medical Center as sub-recipients to provide comprehensive primary care to the residents of the South Bronx.
BLISS strengthens existing services and creates new programs to support the development and expansion of these organizations.
