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At the Hospitals
n Carolinas Medical Center Named clinic-based emergency food pharmacies Specifically, the AHA recognized Atrium
and two refrigerated food vehicles, creating Health for its commitment to serving
“Best Hospital” in Charlotte a comprehensive food assistance option populations that lack access to adequate
for economically challenged areas of the health services; improving clinical outcomes
Carolinas Medical Center has again been community, a key element in maintaining the by reducing harm and avoiding readmissions;
recognized as the “Best Hospital” in the health of at-risk populations. utilizing sophisticated technology, including
Charlotte Metro region by U.S. News & World predictive analytics and telehealth services;
The Department of Oral Medicine at and engaging patients and families.
Report’s annual hospital Carolinas Medical Center also will receive a
rankings and, for the $200,000 boost to integrate dental care into n Mobile Medicine: Ready at a
second consecutive Levine Children’s Hospital. Funding will
support a pediatric dentist who will both promote Moment’s Notice
year, orthopedics preventive oral health and ensure that patients
was ranked among who have lacked access to dental care, especially Many people remember the 2017 hurricane
the top 50 programs those with special medical needs or chronic season as historic. The extremely active
in the nation. health issues, receive optimal dental care. period produced 10 hurricanes. Two of these
Carolinas Medical Center hurricanes, Harvey and Irma, struck the
was also recognized for high-performing Over the last three decades, The Duke continental United States — and one, Maria,
programs in cancer, gastroenterology and Endowment has proven to be a substantial and tore through the Caribbean and Puerto Rico.
gastrointestinal surgery, neurology and visionary supporter of healthcare initiatives
neurosurgery, pulmonology and urology. In in the Carolinas and has provided nearly $20 Abby Peterson, MHA, CMTE, director of
June, Levine Children’s Hospital also was million in grants to Atrium Health Foundation. operations for Atrium Health’s Mobile Medicine
ranked among the Top 50 children’s hospitals team, helped coordinate evacuations of at-risk
by U.S. News & World Report. “Awareness and access to innovative patients to locations out of the storms’ paths.
treatment options can make a tremendous
n Atrium Health Foundation Receives difference in the lives of our at-risk It was a busy fall for the team, which
populations,” says Alisahah Cole, MD, vice operates the MedCenter Air fleet of aircraft,
$1.8 Million to Support Community president and system medical director of helicopters, ambulances and a one-of-a-kind
Community Health for Atrium. “Philanthropy, mobile hospital unit — Carolinas MED-1.
Health Initiatives through partnerships with organizations like Nearly every resource the team staffs was
The Duke Endowment, helps ensure patients put to the test in the past 12 months as they
Atrium Health Foundation has received in our communities, regardless of where responded to different types of emergencies.
three grants totaling $1.8 million from The they live or their socio-economic status, have The fixed-wing aircraft team, in particular,
Duke Endowment to support Atrium Health access to world-class care.” had one of its busiest years in 2017. They were
in addressing population health and improving called upon to help with multiple missions
access to cardiac care and pediatric dental care. n Atrium Health Nationally-Recognized during the hurricane season. Over the course
of six-and-a-half weeks, the teams deployed to
The largest of the three grants — $1.1 million by American Hospital Association for Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.
— will fund the Perfect Care: Personalized
Cardiac Care and Collaborative, a novel Quality of Care and Reducing Every mission is different, and the time
initiative that Atrium Health’s Sanger Heart it takes to get out the door varies on who is
& Vascular Institute will pilot in six hospitals Disparities needed and where. But flight crews with
within its network. The initiative aims to MedCenter Air can move within minutes,
improve patient access and education, as well Atrium Health has been recognized by the while larger operations, such as Carolinas
as eliminate disparities in follow-up cardiac American Hospital Association (AHA) as an MED-1, can be ready within hours.
care after surgery. It will be the first of its kind, honoree for two of its most prestigious awards,
nationally, focused on engaging patients and the Quest for Quality prize and the Equity Thankfully, Peterson has enough staff to
their families through remote telemonitoring. of Care award, celebrating Atrium Health’s help during these situations. Atrium Health
efforts to achieve quality healthcare, reduce teammates have always been eager to serve on
A $480,000 grant will support new “food disparities and advance health in communities. a Mobile Medicine assignment, if needed.
pharmacies” operated by the ONE Charlotte
Health Alliance, a collaboration between Atrium Health ranked in the top five of the “The hours can be long and tiresome,”
Atrium Health, Novant Health and the Quest for Quality prize, which recognizes says Peterson, who notes that during long
Mecklenburg County Health Department. leadership and innovation in improving quality deployments, they try to rotate staff out every
With support from The Duke Endowment, and advancing health in communities. This is the five to seven days. “But knowing you impact a
the program will expand to include two first year the AHA allowed healthcare systems, patient’s care, whether indirectly or in person,
in addition to individual hospitals, to apply. really keeps you going. None of the missions
would be possible without the amazing
Atrium Health was also a top-five honoree team support. We rely on so many different
for the Equity of Care award, which recognizes departments within Atrium Health to make
hospitals and health systems for their efforts to every mission a success. And we’re grateful to
reduce healthcare disparities, advance equity of be able to do what we do.”
care to all patients, and spread lessons learned
and progress toward the promotion of diversity.
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