As the Sisters of Mercy before us, listening and responding to the needs of the community, with particular attention to persons who are economically poor or underserved, is part of our faith-based heritage. Mercy hospitals, physician clinics and ambulatory care sites are committed to improve the quality of life in each of our locations through outreach, health related activities and leadership involvement in the community.
Providing community benefit is not a new concept for Mercy, but rather, is engrained within the culture of each organization. The signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March of 2010 established specific guidelines that tax-exempt hospitals must comply with to show their community benefit. These requirements include the completion of a community health needs assessment (CHNA), identified health needs and specific activities designed for implementation through a community health improvement plan (CHIP). To view your community’s health needs assessment and implementation plan, click on the appropriate link below.
Mercy leaders, co-workers and boards will develop, implement and evaluate community benefit programs to ensure community health needs are addressed appropriately. In addition, community and public health leaders in your community will be invited to partner and collaborate on projects or initiatives designed to improve the health and quality of life for the community. Mercy will continue to listen and respond to community needs by gathering information in a variety of ways to assure ongoing communication about what is important to you.
Mercy will strive to improve the health of our communities by listening, assessing, responding, developing and evaluating community benefit strategies. Together, we can improve the health of our nation, one community at a time.