What We Do
IRHC specializes in comprehensive and culturally sensitive care. We provide:
- Primary Care through the Immigrant & Refugee Health Program (IRHP), offering personalized and accessible services at our Crosstown Center.
- Mental Health Care through the Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights (BCRHHR), including counseling and medication management for refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of torture.
- Refugee Health Assessments using a public health framework to deliver medical care, screenings, and vaccinations for newly arrived refugees.
- Specialty Women’s Health Services through the Refugee Women’s Health Clinic (RWHC), providing OB-GYN care, pregnancy services, surgical consultations, and support for asylum seekers.
Treatments and Services
IRHC works with providers across BMC to connect our patients with primary care, mental health care, medical specialty care, and social services, all tailored to the needs of immigrant and refugee patients. While we can help our patients connect with any services available across BMC, there are several departments and programs that are affiliated with our Center. In addition to the list below, we also provide:
- Referrals for legal consultations for asylum seekers
- Forensic psychological assessments
- Limited in-house development services for clients
Primary Care
The Immigrant & Refugee Health Program (IRHP) in the department of General Internal Medicine provides comprehensive primary care services to immigrant and refugee health patients through the practice at the Crosstown Center at Boston Medical Center.
Refugee Health Assessment Program
The RHAP uses a public health framework and removes barriers that may prevent newly arrived refugees from accessing early medical diagnosis and treatment. The IRHC provides health assessments including initial medical care, public health-recommended screening and vaccinations, and navigation of complex healthcare systems to individuals who are resettled to the US as refugees.
All refugees are entitled to a health assessment within three months of arrival in the U.S.
Mental Health
Through an innovative model of outpatient care, our Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights (BCRHHR) provides comprehensive mental health services, including counseling and medication management, designed to meet the special needs of refugees and survivors of torture, asylum seekers and immigrants.
Obstetics & Gynecology
The Refugee Women's Health Clinic (RWHC) in OBGYN provides comprehensive and culturally sensitive women's health services, including pregnancy and post-partum care, annual check-ups, gynecologic care, contraception counseling, surgical consultation, medical affidavit writing for patients seeing asylum, and consultation regarding Female Genital Cutting, all with options for medical translation in over 250 languages.
Case Management
Our case management team takes a holistic, patient-centered approach to health by addressing critical social needs. Recognizing that factors like food and housing insecurity, legal challenges, and employment barriers profoundly impact overall health, our Case Managers and Patient Navigators work closely with patients to connect them with essential resources. This includes orienting patients to the healthcare system, facilitating access to services, and providing ongoing support to ensure comprehensive care that promotes long-term well-being.
