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Commitment to Community
Health Improvement/Community Capacity Building
The following are programs and initiatives in which Froedtert Hospital demonstrates its commitment to the community that it serves.
Commitment to Milwaukee’s Northwest SideFroedtert Hospital recognizes that the health of a community is broader than just physical health. It is defined by strong families, a strong economy, good jobs and safe neighborhoods. Through financial and in-kind donations, Froedtert has made a long-term commitment to improve healthcare access and outcomes and reduce disparities in partnership with two community-based organizations:
- Westside Healthcare Association — Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin have built a strong relationship with Westside Healthcare Association, a federally qualified health center that provides clinical care, health education and support services to two central city primary care clinics — Lisbon Avenue Clinic and Hillside Family Health Center. About 70,000 residents live in the clinics’ service area. This partnership was formed to improve access to primary care services for medically underserved people. Froedtert provides community education, health screenings, marketing support and customer service training. This partnership helps to manage chronic disease, improve primary and mental health services for area residents, and reduce emergency room visits.
Learn more about Froedtert’s partnership with Westside Healthcare Association.
- Westside Academy — in partnership with Westside Academies (a Milwaukee Public Schools charter school) and Westside Healthcare Association, Froedtert Hospital provides a school nurse at Westside Academy elementary and middle schools (grades K – 8). Now, nearly 600 children have a nurse at their school every day during the school year and summer for health screenings, primary care and case management. The nurse also conducts community health education programs.
Learn how students benefit from having a nurse at Westside Academy.
Froedtert’s partnership with Westside Healthcare Association and Westside Academy has resulted in:
- More students who are up-to-date with immunizations
- Targeted efforts to screen children for lead poisoning
- Health education classes for students on illness prevention and safety
- Improved access to dental care
- Access to physicians at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin for chronic disease management
- Referrals to community mental health services
Milwaukee Healthcare Partnership Froedtert Hospital joined with the four other healthcare systems in Milwaukee County to form the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership, with a mission to improve health care for the medically underserved in the greater Milwaukee area. The group is looking at ways to increase access to primary care by working with community health centers to expand services and make it easier for people —particularly those with chronic diseases — to receive more coordinated care. This effort, in turn, can help improve the cost-effectiveness of care by reducing visits to hospital emergency departments.
Community Education Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin offer a variety of community education programs and support groups to people seeking to protect their health, learn more about diseases that affect their loved ones and cope with life changes following an illness or injury.
Support Groups To meet the needs of the community, Froedtert offers more than 35 support groups for patients and/or families concerned about stroke, heart and vascular disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, spinal cord injury, organ transplants, diabetes, depression, trauma and other health issues.
Health Education Programs and Health ScreeningsIn 2007, Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin conducted 300 community education programs and health screenings for more than 11,000 people. Education programs covered 30 different health improvement or disease prevention topics such as safe driving for teens, nutrition, heart health and CPR/first aid.
A special screening event at Miller Park drew men from throughout metro-Milwaukee to be screened for prostate cancer. Of the 405 men screened for prostate cancer, nearly 15 percent had abnormal test scores.
Just Drive!Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds, and the primary cause for collisions is “driver inattention.” Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin launched the “Just Drive!” campaign to help reduce distracted driving by educating both teens and parents about the importance of safe driving. A key component of the campaign is asking teens and parents to sign the Just Drive! contract to hold them accountable for their driving behavior. The contract asks for a commitment from teens and parents to take that responsibility seriously.
Teen/Single Parent Birthing SeriesThis free three-week series was created for teenage or single moms. Classes cover labor/delivery preparation, pain medication options, newborn care and breastfeeding. Participants also can tour the Birth Center.
Pastoral Care Volunteer Training CourseThe Pastoral Care Course is designed to prepare persons of all faiths for hospital or parish visitation. Funded by a grant and free to all volunteers, the course is offered in the spring and fall of each year (15 students each time). Participants are required to attend all 10 sessions (30 hours of classroom and 10 hours of supervised patient visits). Upon completion, participants are awarded a pastoral care volunteer certificate.
Sponsorships and Community SupportEach year, Froedtert Hospital supports and participates in many community events and organizations, including the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, Alzheimer’s Association, Komen Race for the Cure, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Spinal Cord Injury Association, Epilepsy Foundation, YMCA, YWCA, National Black Nurses Association–Milwaukee Chapter, and the YMCA Martin Luther King Day Breakfast.
Froedtert Hospital is also proud to be a member of many community organizations, including:
Business Partner with Goodwill Industries Since 1990, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc. has provided laundry services to Froedtert Hospital. Froedtert’s contract with Goodwill’s commercial laundry services facility provides meaningful jobs to 120 people (40 full-time equivalent positions) at Goodwill. In 2006, Goodwill client-employees sorted, cleaned and processed 4 million pounds of laundry for Froedtert.
In 2006, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin awarded Froedtert Hospital its Power Partners Award to recognize Froedtert for providing substantial, ongoing work opportunities for people with disabilities or other barriers to employment.
Discover the many benefits of our relationship with Goodwill Industries.
Partnership with the Wisconsin Air National GuardIn 2007, Froedtert Hospital formed a partnership with the Wisconsin Air National Guard to train members of the 128th Refueling Wing before deployment.
Froedtert Cares — a Community Service Program Through Froedtert Cares, our staff is encouraged to participate in community service in a variety of ways. The Froedtert Cares program includes community outreach as well as workplace giving campaigns. Most notably, the hospital provides up to eight hours of paid community service time for non-exempt (hourly) staff members each year. Ways that staff are involved:
- Donating to the Combined Giving Campaign benefiting United Way of Greater Milwaukee, the United Performing Arts Fund and the Froedtert Hospital Foundation
- Donating money and needed items to food, book and clothing drives, including the annual holiday gift drive to help disadvantaged families
- Participating in walks, runs and other fund-raising events benefiting various organization
- Giving time and expertise with community health clinics, workforce development initiatives, mentoring, literacy and educational programs, and community capacity building efforts such as housing and economic development.
Our staff is proud to be involved in community service on behalf of Froedtert Hospital.
Last Review Date: July 13, 2009 Online Editor(s): Richard Petre |
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