The mission statement for Centura Health and the Rocky Mt. Region of Adventist Health Systems, which touches one out of every five Coloradans, is to “extend the healing ministry of Christ by caring for those who are ill and by nurturing the health of the people in our communities.” As such, one of the key strategies is to improve “well care,” in addition to “sick care.” is is being accomplished through the Community Health Improvement Process, community health partnerships, and through Global Health Initiatives.
The Rocky Mt. Region Adventist Health System is using the CREATION Health construct, created by Adventist Health Systems,
to promote the Adventist philosophy of whole person care in many of the efforts noted below. CREATION is an acronym representing eight areas of health (Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust in God, Interpersonal Relationships, Outlook and Nutrition).
Community Health Improvement Process
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, enacted in March 2010, added new mandates for nonprofit hospitals. It requires conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment once every three years to gauge the health needs of communities and to develop implementation plans for addressing them. Fortunately, this activity aligns perfectly with Adventist Health System’s ongoing mission. rough this process the RMRAHS determined that mental health, obesity and access to healthcare are the most common pressing community health needs, and are currently developing strategies to meet these needs, as outlined below:
For mental health, strategies are being developed and training has already begun to combat mental health stigma, improve screening and prevent suicides. To combat obesity, the CREATION Health team has developed a curriculum for a community course titled Pathways to Health and Wellness. In addition, a HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living) strategy includes an online tool called CaféWell that can be accessed through Coloradocreationhealth.com.
For healthcare access, community health advocates are working in hospital emergency rooms, service areas, physician ffces, and community centers assisting people with no health insurance in finding access to healthcare through new insurance options. As a result of these initiatives, and others across the state, the uninsured rate in Colorado has declined from 15% in 2011 to 6% in 2016.
Doctors Care, an organization focusing on the needs of underserved populations under the age of 35, has a special emphasis on young mothers and children. Since 2012 they have worked with RMRAHS physicians, who volunteer their time to provide primary and specialty care access to this vulnerable population. RMRAHS hospitals are also collaborating with physician practices to create community centers of wellbeing. These new centers are working toward the goal of making Colorado the healthiest state in the U.S. and are focusing on mental health and obesity.
Community Health Partnerships
rough the RMRAHS partnership with Adventist Community Services, 68,912 duplicated clients were served in 2013 through all programs (19,000 unduplicated individuals from 2,300 families); including 64,844 through FamilyCare. FamilyCare is the core program at ACS and pro- vides basic needs in times of crisis such as food, clothing, blankets, diapers, utility assistance, temporary housing, emergency shelter, job train- ing and more. FamilyCare encompasses the third largest food bank in Colorado.
RMRAHS has partnered with the Rocky Mountain Conference to create the Friendship Camp program
at Glacier View Ranch. Since 2010, more than 1,200 children of hospital staff, who have other than Adventist faith traditions or are not affiliated with a church, attended the Adventist summer camp program.
In September 2015 a unique day of service was sponsored by the CREATION Health teams at the Denver-area Adventist hospitals that brought together Adventist churches, schools and hospitals, along with other community organizations. Love Matters Most was an event involving 300 people, five houses, hundreds of paint- brushes, dozens of gallons of paint, and a concert for the homeowners. This is scheduled to become an annual day of community service.
Global Health Initiatives
The RMRAHS has sponsored 50 global health medical mission trips by partnering with three Adventist hospitals in Peru, Nepal and Rwanda. In the last five years more than 1,000 volunteers traveled to these hospitals with a focus on training local physicians, nurses and administrators.
Anthony V. Vera Cruz is the director of Marketing and Brand Strategy for Adventist Health System.
