Central City Integrated Health (CCIH) based in Detroit has announced that Dr. Kimberly Farrow has been appointed as president and CEO of the nonprofit. She was named interim president and CEO in October 2019.
The announcement was made by CCIH board chair Alfonso Bermea. “We have full confidence in Dr. Farrow’s ability to provide strong leadership at CCIH for the long haul,” he says. “She has been an extremely effective leader for the past year, growing our integrated health services and expanding partnerships to benefit the community, even during the most difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Farrow joined CCIH in 2016 as chief medical officer and vice president of clinical operations until being named to her interim role. Her vision is to provide high-quality health care and housing for all residents regardless of socio-economic status and to grow the nonprofit’s integrated care model to maximize benefit to the public.
“We really have a diverse set of services we provide to the community…primary care, dental care, behavioral care, housing support, and employment support,” says Farrow. “The goal is to turn CCIH into a national model for integrated care. Every person who enters our doors has access to our full menu of care services, and all their needs can be addressed in real time, without having to come back through multiple visits. It’s service on demand.”
While in her interim position, Farrow implemented a plan to improve the nonprofit’s financial situation, including the sale of real estate holdings to help pay off debt.
A key part of Farrow’s next steps will be to continue and grow key partnerships in the community. The organization currently partners with the city of Detroit, COTS, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, Michigan Primary Care Association, and many others. Due to Farrow’s efforts, CCIH has been able to secure more than $1.1 million in funding and has hosted regular events offering COVID-19 testing and antibody testing to thousands of Michigan residents.
“Partnerships are critical to improving and enriching the services we provide, and help us keep our ears to the streets about what’s most needed in the community right now,” says Farrow. “Knowing the needs of the community allows us to update our care model to meet these concerns, whether it be winter coats or community housing.”
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Wayne State University School of Medicine, Farrow also has been a physician at DMC and Wayne State University since 2009. She is a member of the American Medical Association and American College of Physicians, as well as the Michigan Primary Care Association Leadership Committee member.
CCIH provides comprehensive, primary medical, behavioral health and dental care to residents of Detroit and Wayne County. People are never turned away based on their inability to pay or their lack of insurance. The organization also creates housing opportunities for Detroit residents.
