CHICAGO, January 24, 2012 - In honor of its broad-based efforts
to improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of its
community, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) in
Windsor, Vt., is the recipient of the 2011 Foster G. McGaw Prize
for Excellence in Community Service, one of the most esteemed
community service honors in healthcare.
Each year, this $100,000 prize is presented to a healthcare
organization that provides innovative programs that significantly
improve the health and well-being of its community. The Foster G.
McGaw Prize is sponsored by The Baxter International Foundation,
and the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Health Research
& Educational Trust.
Named as finalists for this year's award and receiving $10,000
each are AtlantiCare in Atlantic City, N.J., Massachusetts General
Hospital in Boston, and Palmetto Health in Columbia, S.C.
"Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center serves as a
coalition-building catalyst within the community, bringing together
local health and human service providers, educators, law
enforcement officials, clergy, parents and consumers to
collectively identify, plan and provide community health programs
and services to area residents," said John O'Brien, chair of the
Foster G. McGaw Prize Committee. "The system's major initiatives
focus on building a community health infrastructure, preventing
substance abuse, providing access to care through a free clinic,
connecting residents to social services and providing senior
housing. Through such efforts, Mt. Ascutney demonstrates its
commitment to pursuing the goals of health promotion and disease
prevention, as well as the achievement of health and well-being for
the community."
Founded in 1933, MAHHC successfully fosters local, state and
national partnerships and developed initiatives that make a
significant difference by addressing local health-related issues
and building collaborative relationships within the community. In
light of challenges faced by the largely rural local population,
such as higher-than-average incidence of respiratory disease,
diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer
of the respiratory systems; alarming rates of domestic violence,
child abuse and neglect; and lack of adequate transportation to get
to health resources, MAHHC founded its community outreach program
in 1995 to proactively address these challenges through community
health education and disease prevention activities. MAHHC's
initiatives have not only resulted in impressive outcomes, but also
have contributed to the rich tradition of mutual support between
the community and the hospital.
"Receiving this award is a wonderful recognition of our
long-standing commitment to improving the health and wellness of
our community," said Kevin W. Donovan, CEO of MAHHC. "Our
leadership, staff and program partners are committed to improving
the lives of those we serve through traditional and non-traditional
means for a healthcare organization. Using an array of educational
programs that promote healthier living, we are measurably changing
our community. It is important to note that our healthcare facility
and its programs are integrated into the community with
sustainability in mind. We want to make a positive impact
immediately, of course, but we are focused on the future health of
our community members, as well."
Among other programs, MAHHC was recognized for the following
innovative community service initiatives:
- Community Health Infrastructure - MAHHC built
collaborative relationships with local organizations to effectively
tackle the problems of fragmented care and lack of centralized or
easily accessible services affecting its community. The teamwork
resulted in 14 health promotion and disease prevention programs
covering issues such as substance abuse prevention, obesity
prevention and nutrition and exercise, and included drug take-back
activities and a prescription drug initiative.
- Substance Abuse Prevention Program - This
initiative reaches out to students from the hospital's surrounding
community with programs and campaigns to help strengthen families
and guide good choices. The program has made significant progress
in decreasing tobacco use among eighth graders and decreasing high
risk behaviors of substance abuse among eighth through 12th grade
students in four area communities.
- Windsor Community Health Clinic - This free
clinic serves the healthcare and case management needs of the
uninsured and under-insured, including assisting patients in
applying for insurance and obtaining medication vouchers.
- Windsor Connection Resource Center - In the
past, many people in need of care and other support services had
difficulty obtaining transportation for the 30-44 mile round-trip
journey to reach many provider agencies. The Windsor Connection
Resource Center was created in 2002 to address this issue by
consolidating health and human services, including drug and alcohol
addiction programs, mental health services, housing assistance,
adult education, transportation and crisis shelter services in
order to maximize resources and increase access.
- Historic Homes of Runnemede (HHR) - This
vibrant residential care and independent living campus combined a
not-for-profit organization that offered licensed residential care
with historic buildings in need of renovation. Through the
collaboration, the organization has reached financial stability and
produced programs including Meals on Wheels and a Respite and
Hospice Program.
The Foster G. McGaw Prize recognizes healthcare organizations that
serve as role models for improving the health and well-being of the
people in their communities. This year's winner and finalists offer
a broad spectrum of programs to meet the needs of their vulnerable
populations," said O'Brien. "By leading, supporting and
collaborating, they enhance the lives of residents in the
communities they serve."
2011 Finalists
Three Foster G. McGaw Prize finalists were also recognized
for their significant accomplishments in community service. Each
received a $10,000 prize:
- AtlantiCare in Atlantic City, N.J., for its
diverse and far-reaching initiatives and services to promote
wellness in southern New Jersey, including a school program to
encourage healthy eating, physical activity and positive body image
and a health center that offers free and reduced-fee healthcare to
the homeless of Atlantic County.
- Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for
engaging the local community to address and prevent health problems
through initiatives such as its substance abuse coalition, as well
as for its efforts to engage local youth through its program that
exposes young students to science, technology, engineering and math
to develop interest in science and health careers.
- Palmetto Health in Columbia, S.C., for its
comprehensive efforts as a healthcare resource for Richland and
Lexington counties, including mental health services that provide
counseling and housing assistance and an initiative to promote
education for parents of children with asthma.
Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center is a
not-for-profit community hospital located in Windsor, Vermont whose
mission is to improve the lives of those it serves. The
Hospital has a renowned inpatient rehabilitation unit, therapeutic
pool, and physical therapy department as well as acute care,
transitional care, hospice and skilled nursing care services.
In addition to a strong primary care base in multiple locations,
specialty services include dermatology, gastroenterology, general
surgery, gynecology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pain
management, pediatrics, physical and occupational therapy,
podiatry, psychology, rheumatology, urology and others.
The Foster G. McGaw Prize, celebrating more
than 25 years of honoring excellence in community service,
recognizes healthcare organizations that demonstrate commitment to
community service through a range of programs that demonstrate a
passion and continuous commitment to making communities healthier
and more vital. The prize, first awarded in 1986, inspires
hospitals, health systems and communities to assess and implement
programs that improve their communities. For more information,
visit www.aha.org/foster.
The American Hospital Association is a
not-for-profit association of healthcare provider organizations and
individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their
communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members,
which include almost 5,000 hospitals, healthcare systems, networks,
other providers of care and 42,000 individual members. Founded in
1898, the AHA provides education for healthcare leaders and is a
source of information on healthcare issues and trends. For
more information, visit the AHA Web site at www.aha.org.
The Baxter International Foundation, the
philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), helps
organizations expand access to healthcare in the United States and
around the world. The foundation, established in 1981, began to
focus exclusively on increasing access to healthcare in 2002 -
particularly for the disadvantaged and underserved - in communities
where Baxter employees live and work. Baxter International Inc.,
through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets
products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia,
immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and
other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global,
diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination
of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
to create products that advance patient care worldwide. For more
information, please visit www.baxter.com.
Founded in 1944, the Health Research & Educational
Trust (HRET) is a private, not-for-profit organization
involved in research, education and demonstration programs
addressing health management and policy issues. An affiliate of the
American Hospital Association, HRET collaborates with healthcare,
government, academic, business and community organizations across
the United States to conduct research and disseminate findings that
shape the future of healthcare. For more information about HRET,
visit www.hret.org.
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