Community Benefit
Strengthening Others – Our Work with Community Organizations
Caring for Our Communities
St. Mary Medical Center – as a faith-based hospital that is part of the larger Catholic St. Joseph Health System – has made a commitment to improve the health of individuals and families in our High Desert communities. It does so by providing residents of all ages and social status with immunizations, screening resources and education to live healthier lives.
In 2008, St. Mary and its staff touched the lives of more than 101,000 men, women and children. This care equaled more than $11 million in hospital expenses dedicated to those in need in the communities we serve.
St. Mary Community Benefit programs focus on serving the most vulnerable members of the High Desert by providing them not only with better access to health care, but with tools to build a better life.
Community Benefit is defined as:
- Free and/or reduced-cost hospital care either in the emergency room or inpatient care for patients unable to pay and who qualify under the Medical Center's Financial Assistance Program.
- Free or reduced-cost health services by operating community health clinics and mobile medical services.
- Supporting community organizations that are working to improve the health and welfare of communities through programs that address economic, housing, poverty, medical, education, environment and public safety concerns.
- Conducting community needs assessments to stay current with what services are required and how a hospital can best help.
To learn more about St. Mary Medical Center and its outreach, advocacy and healthy communities programs, go to www.stmaryapplevalley.com.
In the past year, St. Mary has been busy expanding its partnerships with a wide array of city programs, community organizations and resident groups in Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia and Victorville, while also providing mobile health services to outlying communities like Lucerne Valley. Our assistance comes in many forms – grant writing support, financial assistance and staff who volunteer their time and talents to a wide variety of community programs.
Reaching the Corners of our Community – Community Clinics and Mobile Van Services
For more than a decade the Medical Center has extended access to health services using community clinics and mobile medical van services. Today, St. Mary operates three clinics located in Adelanto, Apple Valley and Hesperia. Each clinic has expertise serving families, children and the uninsured. In addition, the Medical Center operates a mobile van that travels throughout the Victor Valley. In 2008, the community health department cared for more than 34,000 patients and continues to grow and diversify its health offerings.
Promoting Wellness and Prevention to our Senior Community
Many new services are now available to High Desert seniors through Senior Select, a free membership program for residents 50 or better. Senior Select offers a number of services to its members, including free or low-price health and wellness seminars. With the recent opening of the Senior Select Resource Center at Apple Valley and Bear Valley roads, we have expanded our offerings with weekly senior strengthening classes and a variety of workshops.
Senior Select also hosts the annual Senior Prom. This event always sells out and is a great opportunity to mingle and meet new people and have a good time. There is a tough dance competition with live music and the highlight is the crowning of the prom king and queen.
Senior Select is sponsored by St. Mary Medical Center, High Desert Primary Care Medical Group, Alliance Physicians and Premier Healthcare.
Showing We Care
The following graph outlines St. Mary Medical Center's Community Performance for 2008.
(A) Financial Assistance – Free or discounted health services provided to persons who cannot afford to pay, who qualify under the hospital's Financial Assistance Program.
(B) Health Promotion/Community Health – Hospital expenses to operate community health clinics in Apple Valley, Hesperia and Adelanto and the mobile van.
(C) Unpaid Costs for Treating Low-Income Patients – Portion of hospital costs not reimbursable under "safety net" programs, such as Medi-Cal for low-income patients.
(D) Services Assisting the Broader Community and Vulnerable Populations – Hospital expenses for employees donating work time to assist more than 30 community partners (refer to partner list) on programs such as mentoring children, community health education, serving local service organizations through board memberships, hospital's Adopt-a-Family program, serving at homeless shelters and assistance to local food banks.
Total Community Benefit: $11,448,000 |
Total People Served: More than 101,309 |
Our Ongoing Commitment to Our Community's Children
School Fitness Testing
Pie chart showing number of San Bernardino County students unable to pass state of California's physical fitness test given at 5th, 7th and 9th grade.
Results of St. Mary Medical Center's 2008 Community Needs Assessment underscore a need to address childhood obesity in partnership with a wide range of community organizations, including our city and town leaders, physicians, schools and the county department of public health.
As identified in this assessment, childhood obesity has increased to an epidemic proportion. Data was collected on student physical fitness that indicates the percentage of children failing to meet California Department of Education's aerobic capacity benchmarks increases with grade level.
St. Mary Medical Center is working on a plan to reduce the rate of childhood obesity within the High Desert through a collaborative effort with local schools, churches and community partners.
St. Mary Medical Center will continue efforts to expand healthcare access in vulnerable populations through our Community Clinics and Mobile Van services, and will continue to partner with schools and faith-based organizations to increase the number of children who have health insurance.
For the Full Needs Assessment and information regarding the St. Mary Medical Center Community Benefit Plan, please visit our Web site at www.stmaryapplevalley.com.
Community Partners
Adelanto
Adelanto Chamber of Commerce • Adelanto Community Improvement Group • Adelanto School District • City of Adelanto • Community Toolbox • Boys & Girls Club • Westside Park Community Clinic
Apple Valley
Apple Valley Unified School District • Paul Swick Family Center • Yucca Loma Elementary School • Lewis Center for Educational Research • Catholic Charities • Optimist Club • Our Lady of the Desert • Town of Apple Valley • United Way Desert Communities • Vista Loma Neighbor Community Improvement Network
Hesperia
Hesperia Unified School District • Joshua Circle Elementary School • Victor Valley Christian Church • Tele-Nurse
Lucerne Valley
Lucerne Valley Unified School District
Victorville
American Red Cross • City of Victorville • High Desert Domestic Violence Program • Lord's Table • Optimist Club • St. Joan of Arc • St. John of God Health Services • Victor Valley College • Victor Valley Community Services Dental Program • Victor Valley Union High School District • Silverado High School
San Bernardino County
Alliance for Education • American Heart Association • First Five of San Bernardino County • Hospital Association of Southern California • Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) • San Bernardino County Children's Health Initiative • San Bernardino County Department of Public Health – Healthy Communities • San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
Major Funding Partners
Generous residents of the High Desert • First Five of San Bernardino County • Kaiser Permanente • San Bernardino County • Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange • St. Joseph Health System Foundation