Community Benefit

"Provena really understands that in order to make an impact on overall health, you have to come into the community. Because they did, I am a new person."

Addie Wallace of Kankakee was looking for motivation.  She suffered from high blood pressure, asthma, had difficulty breathing and knew she needed to exercise.  She recognized she wasn't setting a good example for her children and that her health was in jeopardy, but she didn't know where to start.  One Sunday last summer, she received the inspiration she needed.

"After church services, we heard a presentation by Provena St. Mary's Hospital announcing a new wellness program that would be offered to the community," said Addie, who attends Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.  "I decided on the spot that I wanted to participate.  I only have one body, and I knew this program would help me make the changes I needed to live a heathier lifestyle."

The program was Provena St. Mary's Hospital's "Fit 'N Healthy Challenge," a 10-week health and wellness initiative aimed at improving quality of life - body, mind and spirit.  Each participant is required to meet for regular exercise sessions, log their daily steps, attend educational offerings, and take advantage of a variety of health screenings.  They also receive daily scripture inspiration.  "Fit 'N Healthy" is just one of a host of programs Provena ministries coordinate system-wide to address identified needs throughout the communities we serve. 

For Addie, who is now 25 pounds lighter and off her blood pressure medication, it was a winning combination.

"As I saw steady progress, my confidence was restored.  I realized I could do it!" said Addie.  "I have Provena to thank for that."

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"Provena Health defines community benefit as a planned, managed, organized, and measurable approach to a health care organization's participation in meeting identified community health needs," said Angela Haggard, System Director of Community Benefit.  It implies collaboration with a "community" to "benefit" its residents - particularly the poor, minorities, and other underserved groups - by improving health status and quality of life."

In 2008, outreach programs at our ministries collectively served 347,281 people and represented $121,575,821 in total benefit to our communities.  Below are just some of our many innovative community benefit programs:

• Provena Covenant Medical Center
• Provena Home Care
• Provena Mercy Medical Center
• Provena Saint Joseph Hospital
• Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center
• Provena Senior Services
• Provena St. Mary's Hospital
• Provena United Samaritans Medical Center

In the case of "Fit 'N Healthy," Provena St. Mary's worked in close collaboration with Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church to develop the program in such a way as to best address the health needs of this at-risk community.  Educational sessions, which are lead by department specialists from the hospital, cover dietary health, diabetes education, cardiac rehabilitation, sleep apnea, and behavioral health. Topics include "Portion Distortion," causes of and treatments for diabetes, information about heart disease and sleep disturbance issues, and emotional eating.

"In order to maximize our resources and continue to find innovative ways to meet identified community needs, it's also important for us to establish our programs in a way so that they can quickly become self-sustaining," explained Angela.  "Among other benefits, this helps us to ensure that important health information is being shared with the community now and, hopefully, into future generations."

Provena St. Mary's Hospital is currently collaborating with other community partners to bring the "Fit 'N Healthy Challenge" to additional churches throughout Kankakee and surrounding areas.  Addie, is doing her part, too, having recruited two sisters, a sister-in-law and a cousin to join the program.  She's eating healthily, getting plenty of rest, performing daily morning meditation, exercising regularly, and even calling her family members daily to make sure they are doing the same.  In addition to her significant weight loss and lowered blood pressure, she lost five inches off her waist and lowered her cholesterol.  She's even noticed relief in other areas - like her previously weak knees and much-improved asthma.   

"Provena really understands that in order to make an impact on overall health, you have to come into the community," said Addie. "Because they did, I am a new person."
 

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