1968

• The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center (MSAHC) becomes the first primary care program in New York specifically designed for the health needs of adolescents
• MSAHC introduces the first Family Life Education Program

1971

• MSAHC receives a grant from New York State to establish the first adolescent-focused drug prevention and treatment program for teenagers in New York City

1972

• MSAHC establishes the first Fellowship Program to provide training in adolescent medicine

1974

• MSAHC introduces an in-house GED program, creating the first link between educational outcomes and good health

1983

• MSAHC establishes New York State's first school-based health center at Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics High School

1984

• MSAHC establishes a second school-based clinic at Julia Richman High School
• The Summer Youth Employment Program begins, placing young people from low-income families in summer jobs at Mount Sinai Medical Center
• The Vocational/Mentor Program starts, creating work/study opportunities for inner-city youth, at Mount Sinai Medical Center

1986

• R.E.A.C.H. (Ready to Enjoy Achieving Cardiovascular Health) program begins providing medical services, mental health counseling and nutrition counseling to youth at risk for cardiovascular disease

1987

• MSAHC hires health educators to focus exclusively on pregnancy prevention and STD and HIV risk reduction among teens
• MSAHC establishes the first Adolescent HIV/AIDS Prevention Program to include peer education, community outreach and theater company

1988

• The S.P.E.E.K. (Sinai Peers Encouraging Empowerment through Knowledge) Peer Education Project begins training youth to lead pregnancy prevention and HIV/AIDS workshops at schools and community organizations

1989

• Angela Diaz, MD, a former patient of the Adolescent Health Center, becomes Director
• MSAHC introduces the first HIV Bereavement program for adolescents in New York

1990

• Patients make 26,000 visits annually to the Adolescent Health Center

1992

• MSAHC is one of the few adolescent clinics to receive Ryan White funding for Mental Health Services to HIV-affected and infected youth

1994

• Dr. Angela Diaz is named a White House Fellow

1995

• MSAHC moves to its present facility at 320 East 94th Street, expanding its space by one third, in order to expand its much-needed services to more adolescents

1996

• C.H.O.I.C.E. (Choosing Healthy Options in Controlling Eating Disorders) program begins providing comprehensive medical and psychological care to adolescents suffering from eating disorders
• The Violence Prevention and Treatment Program, begun in 1988, expands to provide comprehensive services to adolescent survivors of incest, rape and dating violence

1998

• Patients make 45,000 visits to the Adolescent Health Center annually, making it the largest health center in the nation exclusively serving adolescents
• Both Governor Pataki and Mayor Guiliani declare December 3rd "Adolescent Health" Day

2000

• New York State Department of Health designates MSAHC as one of only two Centers for Excellence
• In December, MSAHC holds the "Common Morbidities in Urban Youth" conference in New York

2001

• In September, MSAHC holds "Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services (GAPS)" Conference in September
• In December, MSAHC holds "Youth Development in Action: Identity, Resilience and Community" Conference in New York
• MSAHC receives a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is designated one of 17 nationally recognized youth trauma centers as part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to create and nationwide network trauma centers to improve access to and provision of services to children with traumatic stress
• MSAHC is designated a Child Health Plus Enrollment site

2002

• In February, MSAHC holds "Managing Common Adolescent Conditions" conference.

The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center was the first health service in New York State created specifically to serve adolescents. Over the past 30 years, it has offered high-quality, comprehensive care to teenagers from around the city. Today, the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center (MSAHC) stands as the largest program of its kind in the country and as a successful model for other teen-targeted healthcare efforts.

The MSAHC and its work have received numerous prestigious awards, among them:

• AMA's National Congress on Adolescent Health Award for Excellence in Education and Prevention of HIV/AIDS
• New York State Department of Social Service's No Time to Lose Award, for outstanding community services
• United States Department of Health and Human Services' Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Program Award
• Special recognition from the New York City Council for the Violence Prevention and Treatment Program