Population/Community Health
鈥淥f all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.鈥濃 Martin Luther King Jr.Black History Month is the perfect time to ask, 鈥淲hat progress is your hospital making in equity of care? What progress are you making in support of the idea that a person鈥檚 fate in鈥
Hospitals and health systems are on a journey that promises to take them to a place where they can improve the lives of thousands of people all at once, not just the health of one patient at a time 鈥 where their success in addressing the social determinants of health within the communities they鈥
The next generation of community health will serve as the foundation for total population health.
One of the best parts of my job is getting to travel the country and meet the women and men who are leading the way in redefining the 鈥淗鈥 and transforming health care. Rodney Nelson, president and CEO of the Mackinac Straits Health System in St. Ignace, MI, is one of those leaders.
As a steward of its community鈥檚 health, North Philadelphia鈥檚 Temple University Hospital knows it is uniquely positioned to address the public health crisis posed by gun violence.
Trust is among the most important currencies we have as health care leaders. And during these times of change, we have an opportunity to continue to elevate our role as the steady and trusted voice in our communities. One of the ways to do so is by creating new alliances, approaches and information鈥
Ken Fawcett, M.D., Spectrum Health鈥檚 vice president of Healthier Communities in Grand Rapids, Mich., knows what it takes to build healthier communities. Healthier Communities鈥 outreach to Western Michigan鈥檚 underserved residents is why Spectrum Health has received the 2016 Foster G. McGaw Prize for鈥
In recognition of its cutting-edge programs and services to reach the underserved residents of Western Michigan, Spectrum Health is awarded the 2016 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service and will receive $100,000 for programs creating healthier and stronger communities
Go to your local hospital, and you鈥檒l see the women and men who work there filled with compassion for those under their care. You鈥檒l see them brighten the day of someone in need with the smallest gesture. And you鈥檒l see them strive to give their patients just a little bit more鈥攁 little more health鈥