 |
|
Ways We Give Back to Our Community |
 |
|
Meriter is honored to give back to our community through these programs, because we know the impact that they have on the lives of area families. Part of the reason our community programs are so effective is that we work together with a variety of community partners. These community benefit expenses, translated to a dollar amount, totaled a commitment of more than $1,582,749 from Meriter in 2006. But the real benefit is so much more than a dollar figure. As you'll see in the examples below, the real benefit is that we're finding real ways to give back to our community – inside and outside of our hospital campus. |
|
Every day, Meriter provides care and healing through quality healthcare services. But Meriter's impact on the community is broader than the care given within our hospital campus – we also participate in innovative community programs that offer information, hope and healing.We Provide a "Safety Net" Through Charity Care
How do you do this?At Meriter and other Wisconsin hospitals, no one is turned away because they are unable to pay for the health care they need. By doing so, we provide a much-needed safety net for our state residents.
In 2006, Meriter provided $6,895,932 in charity care (reported at cost). We spent a total of $18,369,265 on community benefits such as subsidized services, charity care and medical education. This breakdown does not include the shortfall from Medicaid and other government-sponsored public programs. If these were included, another $14,594,295 would be counted toward community benefits. Overall, Meriter provides $33 million dollars of community benefits every year.
These numbers represent thousands of community members who were assisted during a time of great need.
Who is it for?We provide charity care and subsidized services for those in the community who might not otherwise be able to afford the care they need.
Why does Meriter do it?All Wisconsin hospitals have a strong commitment to caring for people regardless of their ability to pay. Meriter is proud to be a part of this initiative.
We "Immunize" Area Kids' Teeth Against Tooth Decay
How do you do this?Through Seal Dane, a program designed to provide free dental sealants to local children. The program is funded by Meriter Community Relations, with voucher support from the Meriter Foundation. The health effort is a collaboration between Meriter and Dane County Public Health.
Who is it for?Seal Dane focuses on providing dental sealants for eligible second and fifth graders in Madison and Dane County Schools. Studies have shown that teeth with sealants may remain 90-100% free of decay on sealed surfaces. The program also raises awareness of the importance of dental health. Seal Dane has conducted more than 90 sealant clinics since its inception in 1999. During the 2006-2007 school year, Seal Dane went to 12 area schools, where it provided oral health education to 2,221 students and provided sealants for 428 children. The total number of teeth sealed was 1,462.
Why does Meriter do it?Dental access and preventing tooth decay is a major public health issue today. By providing sealants, we can help prevent tooth decay and cavities in children who don't have a regular dentist.
We Provide Dental Care for Those in Need
How do you do this?Through the Max W. Pohle Dental Clinic, a clinic located in Meriter Hospital with ready access to physician consultation and laboratory, x-ray and social service departments.
Who is it for?Meriter's Dental Clinic focuses on providing care for people who are uninsured, underinsured or on Medicaid. Each year, care is provided during more than 3,500 outpatient dental visits. In 2006, Meriter cared for patients during more than 5,000 visits.
Why does Meriter do it?
Meriter realizes that the dental crisis is real for many local families. Since they can't afford dental care, Meriter's Dental Clinic works with area dentists to provide that care.
We Pitch in to Offer Childhood Health Exams in Underserved Neighborhoods
How do you do this?Through the Health Check program, which provides one-day clinics that offer free health exams in underserved neighborhoods. Health Check is a joint venture among health care providers, schools, local HMOs and community agencies. Meriter participates by supplying staff and supplies needed to give the children physicals, immunizations and dental, vision, hearing and other screenings.
Who is it for?In 2006, 420 children received care at seven Health Checks throughout Dane County.
Why does Meriter do it?To ensure that more children in families without health insurance receive preventive health services. If children receive immunizations and screenings, they are more likely to grow up healthy.
We Provide Medical Imaging and Lab Services to Local Families in Need
How do you do this?By supporting the Access Community Health Centers. Access is a full service, primary care clinic that provides acute care, preventive care and ongoing care for chronic health problems.
Meriter provides more than $100,000 for medical imaging and laboratory services to the Access Community Health Centers. Meriter also accepts charity care referrals for inpatient and outpatient services from Access. Meriter continued its support by doubling its voucher program when Access moved to a new and bigger location on East Washington Avenue.
Who is it for?In 2006, nearly 11,000 Dane County residents received 22,245 medical and dental visits at Access Community Health Centers.
Why does Meriter do it?Nearly 44 million Americans are uninsured. This is one way we can do our part to ensure that uninsured families in Dane County receive necessary healthcare services.
We Care for Children and Teens with Psychiatric Concerns
How do you do this?Through Meriter Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the only community-based inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry program in south-central Wisconsin.
Who is it for?In 2006, Meriter cared for 395 inpatients and 1,276 patients with partial hospitalization needs. The hospital also provided 390 consultations. The staff is tracking percent of requests for admissions, with a target of serving 90 percent of all inquiries. So far that goal has been exceeded.
Why does Meriter do it?Despite low health insurance reimbursement rates, Meriter is committed to providing services that address the mental health needs of area youth.
We Raise Awareness of the Signs of Student Depression and Anxiety
How do you do this?Meriter is collaborating with the Madison Metropolitan School District and University Health Services to raise awareness of the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and intervention options available in our community.
In the hope that high school and college students and their parents will recognize symptoms of depression and anxiety, we're distributing 10,000 magnets on depression and anxiety that include lists of possible symptoms and community resources.
Who is it for?High school and college-aged students, and their families. To receive sets of one or both of the magnets call Meriter Hospital Community Relations, (608) 417-5656, or fill out our Magnet Request Form.
Why does Meriter do it?Depression and anxiety can interfere with learning and quality of life. Early intervention is important. By raising awareness of symptoms, schools and parents can assist students in receiving help.
We Teach Teens about the Risks of Drinking and Driving
How do you do this?To do her part to decrease the number of injuries and deaths from drinking and driving, ER nurse Judy Priske presents a program to area middle and high school students to increase their awareness of the dangers this deadly combination. Judy also teaches the teens about other safe behaviors, such as wearing seat belts and watching over friends if they've been drinking.
Who is it for?With the support of a Meriter Foundation grant, Judy presented her powerful message to more than 40 high school audiences in 2006.
Why does Meriter do it?Our Emergency Services staff sees first-hand the havoc and heartache caused by teenagers who drink and then drive. We want to do our part to decrease the number of injuries and deaths among teens. Students often stop Judy on her way out to thank her for sharing this dose of reality.
We Make Area Children Feel More Comfortable About the Hospital
How do you do this?Through the ER Kids' Club. With the support of a Meriter Foundation grant, our Emergency Services nurses visit children with a fun presentation so they will feel more secure about what happens in an ER. They also share information on bike safety and other topics.
Who is it for?Children in area daycare centers and kindergartens. In 2006, Meriter staff shared this interactive presentation with hundreds of area children.
Why does Meriter do it?For children, an ER is probably not on their list of top ten places to visit. We bring the ER Kids' Club to area children to make the ER seem less scary and to teach them key safety information.
We Bring Healthcare Services to Area Congregations
How do you do this?By supporting the Parish Nurse Program, a partnership among Meriter, St. Mary's Hospital and local faith communities. This program supports placing nurses in congregations who work to promote preventive health services and facilitate access to appropriate health resources.
These nurses serve as counselors, referral agents and advocates for congregation members. While these nurses remain employees of their hospitals, they also are members of the ministry staff of the church they serve.
Who is it for?Eleven local congregations participate in the Parish Nurse Program. In 2006, the nurses cared for their congregation members more than 8,000 times. This included home visits, health screenings, hospice visits and other encounters.
Why does Meriter do it?Faith communities remain places of trust for many elderly, minority and immigrant residents. Providing healthcare services in this innovative way is an effective way to reach people that otherwise would not receive healthcare services.
We Provide a Unique Health Resource for the Community
How do you do this?By offering Meriter's Health Resource Library. At the library, community members can educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in healthcare decision-making. The library offers books, videos, and free Internet and MEDLINE access. Nurse educators also are available to assist with questions.
Who is it for?All community members can use this free service, which is supported through a Meriter Foundation grant. Search the library's catalog online to see the resources available.
Why does Meriter do it?We believe that education can help people take a more active role in their health. We offer the library as one way to help people become more informed healthcare consumers.
We Treat Sexual Assault Survivors with Compassion and Respect
How do you do this?Meriter provides care for sexual assault survivors through the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program, located within Meriter Emergency Services. Many professionals and diverse community organizations make referrals to the SANE program, including law enforcement officers, paramedics, teachers, social service workers and Rape Crisis Center staff. This program is supported through a Meriter Foundation grant.
Who is it for?The only program of its kind in Dane County, Meriter SANE staff will care for more than 400 sexual assault victims in 2007, 50 percent of whom will be under age 17. SANE nurses help victims from anywhere, not just Dane County and regardless of ability to pay.
Why does Meriter do it?Sexual assault victims have special needs. The SANE staff specializes in treating sexual assault survivors with compassion and respect, gathering medical evidence and assisting patients with their many concerns.
We Train Hospital Staff How to Effectively Respond to Domestic Abuse
How do you do this?By funding two employee positions within the Domestic Abuse Intervention Service (DAIS) staff. One DAIS employee trains hospital staff to respond to domestic abuse by recognizing signs suggestive of abuse and offering help. The other DAIS employee trains and coordinates volunteer advocates. These advocates receive extensive training, and are then on call to victims who would like counseling while in the hospital.
Who is it for?We offer counseling services 24 hours a day to anyone who would like counseling while in the hospital.
Why does Meriter do it?Domestic violence is the number one cause of injury to women – greater than rapes, muggings and car accidents combined. By funding two employee positions, we attempt to stop this epidemic.
We Empower Wisconsin Women with Health Knowledge and Prevention Skills
How do you do this?By assisting the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation. Sue Ann Thompson started the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation while still Wisconsin's First Lady. The Foundation's mission is to improve the health and awareness of Wisconsin women by empowering them with health knowledge and prevention skills. Meriter has had a close working relationship with the Foundation, helping staff hold Roundtable discussions throughout the state and printing the Foundation's newsletter.
Meriter Health Services is also a partner with the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation “Badger Heart Project.” The initiative, funded by a grant from Pfizer, was designed to raise health literacy on cardiovascular disease in Wisconsin women. The statewide project continues with outreach efforts targeted to detecting heart disease risk and changing exercise efforts.
Who is it for?Women throughout Wisconsin benefit from the work of this foundation.
Why does Meriter do it?As the organization to offer the area's first heart hospital, we're keenly aware of the need to improve women's awareness of cardiovascular disease. We also want to empower women to improve their health in addition to the health of their families.
We Help Connect Community Members with Vital Health Resources
How do you do this?By helping fund the United Way 211 Call Line. By dialing 211, Dane County residents can receive information about a wide range of health and human services in areas such as:
- Parenting and child care
- Elder care
- Neighborhood centers
- Mental health
- Healthcare
- Food and shelter
- Financial and legal guidance
- Alcohol and other drug abuse
- Disabilities
- Volunteer opportunities
Anyone who lives in Dane County can call for information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Why does Meriter do it?Supporting this call line is one more way that Meriter can help connect community members with local health resources.
We Assist Physicians Who Provide Health Consultations to Low-income Patients
How do you do this?By donating medical imaging services to the Benevolent Specialist Project, a group of 30 physicians that provides secondary health consultations to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of uninsured, low-income patients who are referred to the clinic by another physician.
Who is it for?In 2006, this group provided consultation services for 100 patients. The clinic is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-6 p.m. and can be reached by calling (608) 827-2308.
Why does Meriter do it?We feel it is important to assist this group of 30 retired Madison-area physicians in meeting their goal of increasing healthcare access for low-income patients.
We Help Local Non-profit Groups Meet Their Community Goals
How do you do this?We help support organizations whose missions help our patients, by helping to sponsor their community events.
Who is it for?In 2006, we helped sponsor 50 community events for organizations such as Wisconsin Literacy, the YMCA and YWCA, and the Safe Community Coalition. Events help these non-profit organizations meet their goals to assist people in our community.
Why does Meriter do it?We feel it's important to help local non-profit organizations meet their goals. These organizations are working to meet the basic needs of everyday life from food and shelter to education and self-reliance – ultimately improving the long-term health of the community.
We Help Meriter Employees in the Work They Do Within the Community
How do you do this?Through Meriter's Friends 4 Friends program, a program created to assist Meriter employees in their volunteer efforts. Meriter employees and associates who volunteer their time for a non-profit organization can apply for grant gifts between $150-$500, which helps them extend their volunteer efforts.
Who is it for?All Meriter employees, volunteers, physicians and Friends of Meriter members can apply for grant gifts. In 2006, more than $15,000 was distributed for community efforts. If you are affiliated with Meriter, you can find more information and an application in the Friends 4 Friends section.
Why does Meriter do it?We encourage our employees to volunteer their time within the community. This is one small way we can help them in their efforts.
|
2/18/2008
Meriter Careers | Ways to Give | My Feedback | Search and Site Map
