“I never thought the hospital would be the one to help us fix the floor in the Community Center,” said Aaron Little, a lifetime resident of Beaver Dam, North Carolina, and the floor was not the only problem.  The center was too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.  The 200 or so residents of this small town were losing a building that functioned as the hub of local activities, from elections to homecoming dances.  That was when FirstHealth Community Voices of North Carolina offered the resources and volunteers to help restore the center, as part of its Community Benefit program.  “The renovation is important to our community,” says Little, adding that when he asked for help, “First Health stepped up to coordinate the things we needed.”

Underserved communities often lack needed health services and also lack infrastructure, which is necessary to utilize the health care services that are available.  The Community Benefit Program of FirstHealth Community Voices helps underserved communities by delivering the resources, such as dental care or van services, needed to enhance health outcomes and build community. 

Helping communities develop lasting resources is the basis of the FirstHealth Community Benefit Program.  All not-for-profit health systems are required to render charitable services to maintain tax-exempt status.  Few emphasize them.  FirstHealth Community Voices prioritizes them.  “There is no question of the excellent medical care provided in the region,” says Walker Morris, Chair of the FirstHealth Board.  “The challenges FirstHealth providers and other community agencies must address are the gaps, such as lack of transportation, cultural and language differences, or poor health behaviors that undermine medical care.  The Community Benefit Plan sets the roadmap for working on these tough issues.”

FirstHealth Community Voices determines what communities need by engaging them in dialogues about their health.  The Community Voices site uses a variety of tools to reach community members, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups.  As needs are identified, it first seeks a fit with organizations that already provide similar support services.  If it is determined new approaches are necessary and there is a link with the Community Benefit Program, planning begins.  “It is nice to hear people say they are getting a service that helps them where they need it,” says Lisa Hartsock, Project Director of FirstHealth Community Voices.

One such dialogue found that transportation was a problem for many patient groups.  Just ask Jennie.  Elementary school student Jennie and her family had no trouble finding a physician; they had trouble finding transportation to their appointments.  A recent national survey found one in five poor children miss regular doctors visits because their parents cannot arrange the needed transportation.  The FirstHealth Patient Transport Services provided 1,641 patient transports free of charge in 2000 and logged more than 64,000 miles.  This community benefit allows Jennie and her mom to reach their appointments without having to rely on friends or relatives. 

When cancer patients were having difficulty in meeting frequent treatment sessions, FirstHealth Guest Services partnered with the American Cancer Society to initiate Road-To-Recovery.  The program matches volunteer drivers with cancer patients needing assistance.  The drivers collect the patients at their home, take them to their appointments, wait for their treatment to be completed, and return them to their homes.  Most of these volunteer drivers have some personal experience with cancer, which makes them an incredible source of support for those currently undergoing treatment.  “Because the volunteer took time to talk to me, it was more than just a ride,” according to Magdalene Furr of Aberdeen.  “He kept my mind free of cancer for a little while.”

Many working people cannot find the time to get to the doctor.  In 2000, FirstHealth Mobile Health Services provided more than 19,000 screenings for diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer, cholesterol and hypertension at 105 job sites and 188 community settings.  Louise Mabe illustrates that the program works.  A routine screening, during one regular visit from the Mobile Van to her employer, Stanley Furniture, found Louise had high blood sugar.  The screening prompted Louise to get a diagnosis of diabetes from her physician and she now controls her condition through medication.  In addition to Louise, the Mobile Health Service found more than 6,000 test results requiring follow up.

Another team not only conducted diabetes and blood pressure screenings at an area food pantry, it helped people find recipes suitable to their conditions and provided nutritional counseling to ensure the food pantry stocks up on healthy ingredients.

One dialogue revealed a need that no one could fill: a lack of suitable dental care for underserved families.  A consultation with local dentists determined that they could not manage the capacity of serving thousands of new underserved patients.  Though it seemed strange that a hospital system should be operating dental clinics, the success of the dental care program has prompted others to address dental access issues.  “The dental clinic is a life-saving program, or should I say a tooth-saving program,” says Sherry Rudolph, whose children receive check-ups and cleanings at the Dental Care Center in Southern Pines.

Last year, the Dental Care Centers treated 4,833 underserved children.  Nearly 50% of the eligible children in Hoke, Montgomery and Moore counties have been seen at the FirstHealth Dental Care Centers in only the first two and a half years of operation.  The Dental Care Centers, together with their school partners and the state dental program; have provided sealants to just over one-half of all area fifth graders, nearly a 20% increase in four years.

Has every program been a natural fit for a health care system?  “Probably not,” says Hartsock, “but that is not the issue.  Last year, the Mobile Health Services identified 110 breast cancers.  Our school health centers saved parents 1,367 hours in time that would have been lost from work.  We know we are providing services that are helping our communities do what is important to them.  Sometimes the best way to help communities is to listen to them.”