Mission and History
South End Community Health Center (SECHC) is a comprehensive health care organization for all residents of the South End and surrounding communities. We are committed to providing the highest quality, coordinated health care that is both culturally and linguistically sensitive to every patient, regardless of ability to pay.
SECHC was founded in 1969 by neighborhood activists in response to health care disparities and lack of access to quality health care in Boston’s South End.
SECHC provides primary medical care, behavioral health services, dental and eye care. We also offer a broad array specialty care services and wellness programs that address the social determinants of health. After nearly 50 years the health center is widely recognized for its outstanding holistic care provided to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability, and/or income.
Services and Programs
SECHC’s multicultural and multilingual staff of 200+ serves 14,000+ patients accounting for 80,000 annual visits with an operating budget of $18.9 million. Our main clinic, located just steps from the South End’s Blackstone and Franklin Squares at 1601 Washington Street, is a 48,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility.
SECHC offers a broad spectrum high quality services and programs including primary care and prenatal medicine, behavioral health, dental and eye care. Our specialty care services include addiction medicine/office based opioid treatment, civil surgeon/immigration physicals, diabetes management, family planning, HIV/AIDS & HCV testing and care, midwifery, neurology, nutrition, OB/GYN, pediatric asthma/pulmonology, pediatric dermatology, podiatry, sexual health/STIs.
SECHC’s Dr. Gerald Hass Center on Shawmut Ave. is Boston’s first full-time elementary school-based health center offering medical, behavioral and dental services to the local community and students of the Blackstone Innovation Elementary School.