Good News from Around the State:
Catholic Healthcare
Catholic health care is unique, serving individuals and families as a continuation of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. A few highlights demonstrating the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of their work:
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health: Special Olympics Washington announced a new initiative, “Alliance for Inclusive Health,” designed to provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Washington state greater access to inclusive health care. Led by charter member Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH), the Alliance for Inclusive Health will bring together a statewide coalition of health and wellness organizations who are aligned with the vision of health equity for all.
As the first alliance partner, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health will kick off its support by hosting inclusive health trainings for its workforce and staffing health screenings for individuals with IDD. VMFH will also lead key efforts within the Alliance to support health equity for all, including engaging more partners to help close the significant knowledge gap in treating people with IDD. Source: VMFH.org
PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth will open its new Southwest emergency department July 16. The LEED Certified facility will double the size of the current Emergency Department that currently experiences nearly 77,000 patient visits annually. It is considered the busiest Emergency Department on the West Coast and serves as the only Level II trauma center in the Southwest Washington region overseeing trauma care for six counties. It will also be home to the Community Health Hub (CHH), a unique, first-of-its-kind model of care that will provide non-medical care to Emergency Department patients experiencing behavioral health issues, addiction, homelessness, food insecurity and domestic violence. Source: PeaceHealth.org
Providence: During 2023, Providence ministries and affiliates invested $885 million in community benefit across Washington. For example, Providence Inland Northwest Washington’s Family Promise focuses on comprehensive solutions for housing families. Providence's $150,000 community benefit investment in 2023 helped the organization fund homelessness prevention, emergency housing and long-term stabilization services in Spokane.
Since 2020, Providence Swedish’s Cultural Navigation Program has focused on access to care for underserved communities. In 2023 alone, the program served more than 955 patients with identified language or cultural barriers; co-hosted five mobile mammogram events; served more than 1,100 neighbors at community events; and attended more than 35 community health events to support vaccination and screening efforts. Source: Providence.org