Hospitals Honored for Charitable Services

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Six hospital programs were named Programs of Promise by Jackson Healthcare of Alpharetta, which sponsors awards honoring hospitals that aim to improve the health of local communities.

Each hospital program was awarded $2,500 through the Hospital Charitable Services Awards, which is sponsored by Jackson Healthcare. This year’s six Programs of Promise were selected from a pool of 208 nominees. Each nominee had to demonstrate excellence in five criteria areas: community impact, innovation, collaboration, transferability and best practice.

Jackson Healthcare instituted the Hospital Charitable Services Awards in 2010 to identify high-impact community health programs, share their stories and offer them as models for other communities to replicate.

“We hope these programs will serve as models for health systems and communities seeking unique ways to address underserved health needs,” said Charles R. Evans, FACHE, chairman of the awards program, in a statement.

The six Programs of Promise included the MetroHealth System of Cleveland, Ohio; the University of Mississippi Medical Center; Union General Hospital in Farmerville, La.; River Hospital in Alexandria Bay, N.Y.; the Hospital for Special Care in Hartford, Conn.; and the Cook County Health & Hospital System in Chicago.

The MetroHealth System provides a program called MetroHealth Medical Home for Children in Foster Care. The program serves as the medical home for all 1,600 foster children in Cuyahoga County, providing both routine and sick care.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center offers the Diabetes TeleHealth Network. The program brings health care resources to rural areas of the state. Its goal is to serve 200 of the most complex diabetic patients in Sunflower County.

Union General Hospital sponsors “It’s a Girl Thing, Making Proud Choices.” Through this program, girls receive resources and support that helps them avoid early pregnancy and STD.

River Hospital hosts the River Community Wellness Program. The first outpatient program of its kind, this civilian facility offers active duty soldiers coping skills and support to face the impacts of combat.

The Hospital for Special Care sponsors the Autism Patient-Centered Specialty Practice. This program specializes in serving youth living with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and pulls together education and support for patients and their families.

In Chicago, the Cook County Health & Hospital System has a program called The Justice Health Initiative. The program targets detainees leaving the Cook County jail and works with them toward improved health outcomes, especially mental health and substance abuse.