Louisville’s predominately black Russell neighborhood has been the focus of economic development over the past few years. The blighted community that once housed the notorious Beecher Terrace Public Housing Project, is now being transformed into a hub for local black-owned businesses.
Two of the latest businesses preparing to open in this community are HMPS Internal Medicine of West Louisville and UPSING Psychiatric Services, located at 927 W. Main Street. HMPS will specialize in providing primary care services such as: preventive screenings, physical exams and diabetes and hypertension management, to residents of the Russell Community.
UPSING Psychiatric Services, which also occupies office space at the location, will specialize in mental health services, for Louisville’s West End residents.
Essentially, two black-owned medical services will operate under one roof and both are owned and operated by female medical service providers.
The four medical services providers are:
Dr. Kellye Singletary MD (General Psychiatry)
Dana Singletary (APRN)
Shavon Prentice (APRN)
Jennifer Haynes (APRN)
The owners emphasize that HMPS/UPSING was created to address the healthcare disparities, that exist within West Louisville.
Each provider has extensive experience in their respective healthcare fields, so the group thought they would be more effective by forming a partnership, with the goal of providing West Louisville residents with the best medical experience possible.
Co-owner and nurse practitioner Shavon Prentice, says that she’s always worked as a healthcare provider in West Louisville and is very familiar with the sentiments of the residents of that community, in regard to healthcare.
Prentice claims that a disconnect in communication often exists between the patient and healthcare provider, due to cultural differences. She feels as though many African-American patients are misunderstood, based on those differences.
“Often the healthcare provider can’t relate. Patients may be perceived as having an attitude or being stubborn, when in reality they have anxiety and they are scared. We can convey that a little better because culturally we know how to respond to certain situations more effectively.” – Shavon Prentice
Prentice goes on to say that establishing relationships with their patients is essential to helping the patient maintain a healthy lifestyle. She further states that HMPS will focus on preventive treatments such as annual physicals, prostate screens, mammograms and colonoscopies – in addition treating illnesses.
“Because we look like them and we treat them as if they’re our family – I’m going to tell them how it is. I’m going to tell them that this is what you need to do and this is why… And I feel like it’s more receptive when it comes from someone that looks like them.” – Shavon Prentice
According to census data statistics, in June of 2020 African-Americans made up 16.5 percent of Kentucky’s Covid-19 deaths, while being only 8.4 percent of the state’s population. These statistics prompted Kentucky Governor, Andy Beshear, to announce a plan that intends to provide healthcare coverage to 100 percent of African-Americans in the state.
As a healthcare provider, co-owner Dana Singletary identifies with these statistics. She says that preexisting health conditions placed many African-Americans in the high-risk category, pertaining to Covid-19. She insists that preventive treatments will lower the risk of illness and provide a higher quality of life for their patients.
“Preexisting conditions such as, diabetes, hypertension and obesity, placed many African-Americans in the high-risk category to contracting Covid-19.” – Dana Singletary
Mental Health treatment is also a major focus of HMPS/UPSING. Dr. Kellye Singletary and Monique Upton will be providing psychiatric services at the clinic, via their practice “UPSING.” Singletary has been practicing psychiatry since 2006 and spent eight years practicing at the V.A.
Singletary partnered with Upton in 2017, to provide tele-medicine services to their clients. Tele-medicine essentially allows a patient to visit with their physician by video-conferencing or telephone. The pair have provided tele-medicine services in Kentucky, Florida and Texas.
Mental health services for patients of UPSING are available through tele-medicine services or through in-office visits.
The Grand Opening of HMPS/UPSING will take place on July 17, 2021. The clinic is strategically located to serve residents of Louisville’s West End but the medical providers welcome patients from all areas of the city.
The clinic will be accepting Medicaid/Medicare as well as other types of insurance.
Brad Harrison is a journalist/motivational speaker/entrepreneur and on-air personality. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with cum laude honors from the University of Louisville. In October 2015, he started UrbanMaxx Magazine to provide positive role models for Urban residents that reside in at-risk-communities and lack positive leadership in their lives.
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