For more than 125 years, improving the health and well-being of the community has been at the core of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s mission. LG Health works to identify and address health priorities within Lancaster County through partnerships with community organizations.
LG Health and its community partners attracted national attention when the American Hospital Association and the Baxter Allegiance Foundation announced that LG Health is the 2018 winner of the Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service.
The award has been awarded annually since 1986 to recognize hospitals and health systems that have distinguished themselves through efforts to improve the health and well-being of their communities. The prize includes an award of $100,000, which LG Health will use to support community health and service.
“We are honored that the American Hospital Association has recognized our community health improvement model as a way to improve the health and well-being of a community like ours,” said Jan Bergen, LG Health President and CEO. “We are grateful for the partnerships we have with many local organizations that enable us to collectively pursue health initiatives that will improve the well-being of individuals and the community at large.”
LG Health helps individuals and families achieve an optimal level of health by ensuring they receive care at a location that is convenient and culturally competent. Programs assist with special needs and gaps that are identified throughout the health system’s Community Health Needs Assessment process. Efforts include: ChildProtect, DALCO, Healthy Beginnings Plus/Nurse Family Partnership, Breast and Cervical Services, Child Advocacy Center and School-Based Health Centers.
Let’s Talk, Lancaster was formed to evaluate strategies that improve the mental wellbeing of the Lancaster County community. The coalition’s purpose is to increase awareness of mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, helping to shape the culture of mental health on both a local and societal level.
Lighten Up Lancaster County is a cross-sector coalition dedicated to combating obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles. It uses collective resources from schools, businesses, government, health care, faith-based groups and other organizations to improve access to healthy food and safe spaces for physical programs.
LG Health implemented programs like Care Connections to address the social determinants of health with some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Care Connections provides medical and behavioral health care, along with additional services, to chronically ill and complex patients, who consume disproportionate amounts of care. Since 2011, Care Connections has enrolled 475 patients.
The Tobacco Free Coalition of Lancaster, of which LG Health is a key driver, brings together partners that include hospitals, schools, health and human services, municipalities and more. Using the same strategies to extend beyond tobacco to reduce opioid deaths, LG Health partnered to create two new coalitions, South Central PA Opioid Awareness Coalition and Lancaster Joining Forces.
LG Health will receive the award April 9, in Washington, D.C., as part of the AHA’s annual conference.