The MetroHealth System, a leading healthcare provider, is joining forces with the Health Assurance Foundation to pioneer the future of healthcare delivery. This innovative partnership focuses on expanding and refining best practice standards for Community Health Workers (CHWs), recognizing their crucial role in patient care.
Pat Hardy, a MetroHealth Community Health Worker, exemplifies the dedication of metro healthcare partners in improving patient care through community-based support.
Community Health Workers are vital links within neighborhoods, bridging the gap between healthcare providers and the communities they serve. As trusted community members, CHWs enhance cultural understanding and improve healthcare service quality. They achieve this by coordinating patient care with medical professionals, facilitating access to essential community resources, tackling the social determinants of health, and delivering crucial health education directly to individuals.
The Health Assurance Foundation’s substantial grant of $434,400 underscores its commitment to this critical area. This funding will significantly bolster the CHW program at MetroHealth’s esteemed Institute for H.O.P.E.™, enabling it to achieve key objectives:
- Integrate CHWs into Primary Care Teams: By embedding CHWs within primary care settings, MetroHealth aims to foster greater health equity and ensure comprehensive patient support.
- Develop Sustainable Payment Models for CHWs: Securing long-term financial viability for CHW programs is essential. This initiative will explore and establish effective payment models to ensure the sustainability of these vital roles.
- Statewide Collaboration for CHW Workforce Growth: MetroHealth and its partners will collaborate across the state to advocate for policies that support the expansion and professional development of the CHW workforce.
This initial year-long collaboration between MetroHealth and the Health Assurance Foundation lays the groundwork for potentially extending this impactful work into the future, solidifying their commitment as Metro Healthcare Partners in community health.
Dr. Nabil Chehade, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Transformation Officer at MetroHealth, highlighted the program’s proven success: “MetroHealth’s community health worker program has already yielded remarkable benefits for patients and community members. We’ve seen improvements in prenatal and well-child care visits, better management of diabetes and hypertension, and increased access to essential primary and ancillary services.” He further emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “We deeply appreciate the Health Assurance Foundation’s shared vision for expanding this impactful care model and their investment in MetroHealth to help create a more proactive, affordable, and equitable healthcare system.”
Through the Institute for H.O.P.E.™, MetroHealth CHWs are instrumental in proactively screening adult patients for social determinants of health, allowing for targeted interventions and support.
Dr. Srinivas Merugu, President of the Institute for H.O.P.E., emphasized the growing importance of CHWs: “Community health workers are rapidly becoming indispensable within healthcare organizations. Their strong interpersonal skills, cultural competence, and ability to build rapport with patients are invaluable. They provide support beyond traditional clinical settings – from scheduling appointments to delivering meals and engaging in meaningful conversations. Thanks to the Health Assurance Foundation, we are empowered to collaborate more effectively with community stakeholders and our internal teams to further expand these crucial roles.”
Rhonda Bray, Executive Director of the Health Assurance Foundation, articulated the urgency and vision behind this partnership: “At a time when the U.S. healthcare system faces significant challenges, vulnerable populations are often disproportionately affected. The Health Assurance Foundation is dedicated to addressing these systemic issues and advancing healthcare access. Partnering with MetroHealth, with its extensive research into the impact of social determinants of health, presents a valuable opportunity. We are hopeful that this investment will serve as a blueprint and scalable model for broader community health initiatives, setting a new standard for metro healthcare partners nationwide.”
