Together
IT’S POSSIBLE
Evangelical Community Hospital Community Benefit Report, 2011
Together
IT’S POSSIBLE
Outreach and Care for the Community
Act 55 Uncompensated Services
O
utreach and care for
the community are
central to the Evangelical
Community Hospital mission, and
have been for 85 years. Together,
with the cooperation of physicians,
nurses, caregivers and the larger
community, Evangelical’s healthcare
Government Program Short Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,157,349
mission extends beyond the walls
Bad Debts and Charity Care (at Cost) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,463,873
of the Hospital’s facilities to the
Value of Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,932,011
larger region. In fiscal year 2011,
Unreimbursed Value of Community Health Education Programs/
Evangelical invested more than Community Benefit Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,096,522
$23 million in community benefit Volunteer Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $951,323
initiatives that provided care to
Total Value of Uncompensated Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $23,601,078
those who could not afford it,
education and outreach to children,
teens and adults, health screenings ACTION Health Community Health Needs Assessment
Evangelical impacts the lives of tens of thousands of people throughout the Valley every day. But
and immunization clinics and
what do Susquehanna Valley residents consider to be their most important healthcare needs?
countless other services. And how can priorities be set when the sheer volume of need is overwhelming?
ACTION Health, a collective of healthcare and educational facilities that has included Evangelical
Within this Community Benefit
Community Hospital, Berwick Hospital Center, Bloomsburg Hospital, Bloomsburg University,
Report are just a few examples of Geisinger Health System, Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Sunbury Community Hospital and
the Hospital’s outreach and impact Susquehanna University, conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment in 2009. Its findings
indicate that there are many health needs in the region ranging from lack of health insurance
on the Central Susquehanna Valley. and lack of preventative care to unhealthy addictions and social isolation. Three of the needs
identified in the study are areas of intense focus for Evangelical. They are: focused programs
directed at reducing obesity, tobacco cessation and helping residents navigate the complex
healthcare system.
Combating Obesity
According to a 2010 study
by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 28.6
percent of Pennsylvanians are
considered obese. Close to home,
these figures are even more
alarming: the PA Department of
Health lists the percentage of
individuals in Snyder, Union and
Northumberland counties who are
considered overweight or obese at
61 percent. With obesity being a
contributing factor in health issues
such as diabetes and heart disease,
tackling the issue is imperative.
For many years, Evangelical
has worked to address obesity
issues in the community, holding
weight management classes such
as “Drop 10 in 10,” which helps above: Girls on the Run education
participants lose 10 pounds in 10
weeks, and “Eat Well for Life,” a the Run (GOTR) of the Greater
lifestyle improvement program Susquehanna Valley, Evangelical is
that champions optimal health, demonstrating its commitment to
vitality and long-term weight instilling healthy values early in a
management through good person’s life.
nutrition.
During the 2010 12-week program,
But how do you address these Evangelical collaborated with
concerns with children, before GOTR by providing coaches to
unhealthy habits become meet with girls in grades 3-5 and
permanent behaviors? As a teaching them healthy eating
community partner with Girls on habits and physical activities. The “We also talk about body
Hospital also collaborates on a
above: Girls on the Run group exercise
image, self-esteem and other
similar program for girls in grades
emotional issues that can
6-8 called Girls on Track.
Additional obesity programs impact health and wellness,
“Cultivating a love of health and and classes are on the horizon especially in pre-teen girls.”
exercise is only one aspect of for Evangelical as the Hospital – Sheila Packer
this program,” says Sheila Packer, continues to focus on helping Director of Community Health
Director of Community Health community members lose weight Education and
Girls on the Run coach
Education and GOTR coach. “We and maintain, or regain, their
also talk about body image, health.
self-esteem and other emotional
issues that can impact health and
wellness, especially in pre-teen
girls.”
left: Girls on the Run participant
Tobacco Cessation
Tobacco use is the single most
preventable cause of disease,
disability and death in the United
States. In Pennsylvania, the
area comprising Snyder, Union,
Northumberland and Lycoming
counties has the third highest
prevalence of tobacco use in the
state. More telling, though, is the
statistic that the same area has
the highest prevalence of adult
cigarette smokers with one or
more attempts to quit smoking.
Tobacco use is a severe problem in
the region, and Evangelical offers
QuitSmart courses as a solution.
“Quitting tobacco use is one of the
most difficult things to do,” notes
Susan Sidler, Assistant Director of
Respiratory Therapy and certified above: Zarina Robbins, Central Scheduling Manager and former Financial
QuitSmart leader. “Success Assistance Counselor “It’s great to know that you’ve
depends on a firm decision to quit Navigating the Healthcare System helped someone financially,
smoking and a willingness to try When you are dealing with an illness or chronic condition, your energy
new coping methods.” should be focused on getting better. However, for some, the complexity
so they are able to focus more
of the healthcare system is an added stressor that can slow a patient’s on their health.”
The four-session QuitSmart recovery or keep him or her from seeking help altogether. Evangelical
program offered by Evangelical understands that healthcare bills and insurance can be difficult to – Zarina Robbins
focuses on preparing yourself and understand, and the Hospital is committed to working with patients to Central Scheduling Manager
your environment for quitting, make the process as easy as possible. and former Financial Assistance
choosing a “quit day,” maintaining Counselor
a smoke-free lifestyle and follow-up. One such patient is Colleen (name changed in the interest of privacy),
a local mom who found she needed surgery but was without health
Evangelical is also planning insurance. “My doctor told me that I couldn’t put off this surgery. My
additional programs to aid condition was only going to get worse over time, and now was the time
residents in curbing tobacco use, to get it taken care of,” Colleen says. “I just didn’t know how I was going
including collaborations with area to afford it. We have a large family with eight kids, and unfortunately we
school districts to deter smoking in don’t have health insurance. It was a very stressful time for us.”
adolescents.
Colleen got help from Evangelical’s financial
assistance counselor, who helped her apply to the
county Assistance Office. Thankfully, she was eligible
to receive help for a portion of her bill. Colleen and
her family obtained additional financial assistance
through the Hospital’s Charity Care programs.
“It was a big burden lifted off our backs,” says
Colleen. “I feel like a new person! I feel wonderful,
and I am able to be really active. I’m swimming,
riding bikes with my kids. I’m so grateful.”
“Each of the doctors was
above: Catherine Cardenas and Christopher Motto, MD, FACS, with patient Susan Keifer
completely devoted to
his or her patients, really Local Educational Support
interacted with them Physicians, nurses, radiology technologists, physical “I was able to accompany the paramedics on a call to a
therapists—all these positions and more are in high car accident,” Cardenas says. “Seeing how quickly and
and listened to them. The demand in the United States and specifically in methodically they dealt with all the complicated issues
program reinforced my Pennsylvania. Evangelical is doing its part to shape was impressive. I was also able to help with patients
future care providers, educating young people with in a number of settings, from testing neurosurgical
goal to pursue a career in an interest in healthcare and allowing them to learn patients’ reflexes to helping with blood pressure
medicine.” hands-on with experts in their fields. Each year, checks in the Wound Clinic.”
Evangelical hosts students through its “January Plan”
– Catherine Cardenas with Bucknell University and its “June Plan” with Cardenas was most inspired by the passion that each
Susquehanna University Susquehanna University. More than 30 physicians clinician showed for his or her profession. “Each of the
June Plan Student and clinical staff welcome students. doctors was completely devoted to his or her patients,
really interacted with them and listened to them. The
Catherine Cardenas, a student at Susquehanna program reinforced my goal to pursue a career in
majoring in biology with a minor in healthcare medicine.”
studies, spent a week in June job shadowing and
learning more about several aspects of care.
“The time I spent with Evangelical’s staff was
invaluable to me,” Cardenas says, commenting
on her experiences with Hospital physical and
occupational therapists, anesthesiologists,
paramedics, even witnessing a surgery with
Christopher Motto, MD, FACS.
One Hospital Drive
Lewisburg, PA 17837
(570) 522-2000
www.evanhospital.com