Continued from pg 1
Accelerating Care in Underserved Communities …
a wide spectrum of health resources in are ,” she said . “ They hold their hands addition to primary care : pharmacists , through the maze of healthcare , and they chronic disease education , behavioral help navigate them through their social health support and innovative technology determinants of health .” to enhance delivery of care .
“ We are targeting patients who are at Caring for the Community risk due to chronic conditions like diabetes Baylor Scott & White Health is also or hypertension . By managing their care empowering the underserved through over time , we stop the progression of their the Baylor Scott & White Health and illness . This improves individual health Wellness Center . Established in 2010 as the outcomes , allows people to continue to Diabetes Health and Wellness Center to work and be productive , and reduces address the prevalence of diabetes , the cost to our system ,” said Jeff Zsohar , MD , Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness medical director of the Baylor Scott & White Center today addresses all chronic Community Care Clinics . “ What we can disease conditions that adversely affect show in data is powerful , but our motivation population health , removing or reducing is based in the relationships we have with the barriers to improving health outcomes our patients , helping someone who is very for the uninsured and underinsured in a sick to get better ,” he said , underscoring three-pronged approach that includes the importance that health has to quality medical care , physical activity , and of life and an individual ’ s ability to succeed . education and nutrition . “ Our work is remarkable in that we are able This model has now been expanded to align Baylor Scott & White ’ s mission with to nine other locations across Dallas and this quantifiable impact ,” he said . counts more than 7,000 citizens in its membership ( which is free for the uninsured
Helping Hands and open to anyone 18 years of age or older
Integral to the initiative is the team with the requirement to undergo a health of community health workers who staff assessment and biometrics ). Setting a the Baylor Scott & White Community new standard of care in the facility is Care Clinics and the Baylor Scott & a multidisciplinary team that includes White Health and Wellness Center . These physicians , certified community health frontline workers are trusted members workers and researchers who provide care of the community with a significant and track members ’ progress . understanding of the community ’ s diverse This integrated approach to care cultures , explained Venita Owens , MBA , delivery is playing a crucial role in meeting president of the Baylor Scott & White the needs generated by the pandemic . Health and Wellness Center .
To increase the number of minorities
“ Our community health workers have registering for and receiving the COVID-19 a natural inclination to care , and they are vaccine , Baylor Scott & White Health able to meet our community where they created an action plan to educate ,
Drive-through testing and vaccinations played a big role during the pandemic in providing care to underserved areas .
Dr . Jeff Zsohar , medical director of Baylor Scott & White Community Care Clinics
communicate and provide registration assistance to southern-sector residents .
“ There was a need to address some community members ’ hesitancy with receiving the vaccine , health literacy hurdles and technology challenges ,” Owens said , “ and a need to provide the community with accurate information , regular updates , access to hub locations , registration assistance and transportation .”
Improving Texans ’ Lives
Through these and other initiatives , Baylor Scott & White Health is bringing access to wellness to underserved Texans . When Jim Hinton , president and CEO of Baylor Scott & White Health , reflects on the system ’ s choice to take on vaccine distribution — while the vaccine is provided by the government at no cost , distributing the vaccine has cost Baylor Scott & White Health millions of dollars — he points to the mission .
As a not-for-profit , community-owned organization , Baylor Scott & White Health undertakes initiatives that benefit the community . Any surpluses the system creates each year are invested in strategic initiatives that improve Texans ’ health
through new and improved facilities , technology , clinical research , expanded services and a growing workforce . Over the past three years , Baylor Scott & White has invested $ 2 billion into Texas communities to improve health and well-being .
“ Improving the health and well-being of all those we serve is not only part of our mission , it is our greatest privilege ,” Hinton said . “ We are committed to working together to address inequities and advance care for communities across Texas , now and in the future .”
4
THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE DALLAS FOUNDATION NEWS / SUMMER 2021