Compassion starts with understanding
When patients and health care professionals understand one another, they can form a healing bond that builds trust and promotes better outcomes. That’s why United Way of the Capital Region’s Contact to Care program provides translation services in numerous languages.
See how United Way removes barriers to serve our diverse community with compassion and dignity.
- Watch the video “Barriers to Service”
Contact to Care
Penn State Health joined the United Way’s Capital Region Core Solutions Partners in Health in September to assist with the Contact to Care initiative. Contact to Care provides community health workers who help uninsured and underinsured individuals and families secure dental, vision, mental and primary care.
Judy Dillon, director of community health, is a member of the task force and is working with community health workers at Common Ground Café in Harrisburg and Steelton-Highspire Elementary School. Penn State Health is also accepting referrals to LionCare, a nonprofit, free clinic run by Penn State College of Medicine students.
“We’re proud to be involved with Contact to Care because it is a collective approach of service providers and organization representatives working together to address barriers to accessing health care and improving health for our community,” Dillon said.
Campaign Progress
Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health’s 2018 United Way campaign runs through Friday Oct. 26. Dr. Craig Hillemeier, dean, CEO and senior vice president for health affairs, is chair of the 2018 Live United campaign. The Penn State Health theme is “United with our Community.”
As of Week 5, the campaign raised $279,001, which is 75 percent of the final $375,000 goal.
- Penn State Health employees can make a pledge or donation at inspired2give.org.
- College of Medicine employees can donate through the 2018 Green Pledge Cards.
Gifts and pledges can be donated to a nonprofit organization of the donor’s choice or to the United Way general fund. In addition to school readiness, United Way supports health care access, workforce development and basic needs. Any employee who contributes at least $182 ($7 per pay or $3.50 per week) to the Penn State Health United Way campaign will be eligible to win exciting incentive prizes.
Volunteer for United Way Core Team
The United Way Core Team is made up of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health and College of Medicine employees. The group organizes the annual campaign, Day of Caring and United Way fundraisers, including the Food Truck Festivals. The team meets for one hour on the third Monday of every month in the Academic Support Building. Contact Jim George, director of community relations, at 717-531-1465 if you are interested in volunteering your time and talents.
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