College of Medicine and Penn State Health collaborate on ‘Healthy Communities, Healthy Futures’
Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health work together year-round to address the growing health care needs of central Pennsylvania residents. Examples of their successful efforts are featured in the first Community Benefit Report, “Healthy Communities, Healthy Futures.”
The health system contributed $156,730,522 in community benefits in fiscal year 2022, which includes effective programs, compassionate charity care, unreimbursed Medicaid costs, and supplemental medical, dental and pharmaceutical services.
“Our mission is clear – to improve the health and well-being of the people of Pennsylvania and beyond,” said Steve Massini, Penn State Health CEO. “And we’re not doing it alone – we’re teaming up with others, particularly Penn State College of Medicine, to make a real difference. We partner with schools, churches, shelters, food pantries and more to try to give every adult and child the best opportunity to live healthy lives.”
The College of Medicine and health system collaborate on a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years to guide strategies in serving the health care needs of area residents. The assessment identified three key focus areas: mental health, health equity and wellness/disease prevention. By offering free health screenings, creating community gardens and providing behavioral health outreach, the College of Medicine, Penn State Health and our community partners are actively addressing those issues and improving the health of people throughout the region.
College of Medicine and Penn State Health employees spearhead more than 30 community health programs reported in the Community Benefit Inventory for Social Accountability, including:
- Cancer prevention, education and navigation
- Food access programs across the region
- Health fairs in Steelton and Harrisburg
- Mental health and substance use disorder community programming and psychiatry community outreach
- LionCare Clinic at the Bethesda Mission, Harrisburg
- Menstrual products for health equity
“Our Public Health Sciences team is amazed each year by the efforts of our employees and students as we see the collective impact of their community benefit efforts,” said Gail Snyder, director of community reporting at Penn State College of Medicine’s Department of Public Health Sciences. “Our organizations, together with numerous community partners, are working hard to ensure everyone has an equal shot at a healthier life.”
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