Spectrum Health Recognized for Excellence in Community Service with 2016 Foster G. McGaw Prize

Finalists from Dallas, Los Angeles and Toledo, Ohio, also Honored

DEERFIELD, Ill. & GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In recognition of its cutting-edge programs and services to reach the
underserved residents of Western Michigan, Spectrum Health is awarded
the 2016 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service and
will receive $100,000 for programs creating healthier and stronger
communities.

As one of the most revered community service awards in healthcare, the
Foster G. McGaw Prize is sponsored by the Baxter International
Foundation, the American Hospital Association (AHA) and its non-profit
affiliate Health Research & Educational Trust. First awarded in 1986,
the annual prize recognizes the achievements of hospitals and health
systems and inspires strong partnerships that significantly improve the
health and well-being of their communities.

Spectrum Health is a non-profit, integrated health system in Western
Michigan providing a full continuum of care. Its community outreach arm,
known as Healthier Communities, responds to the most pressing needs by
formulating innovative programs to address specific health challenges
and then collaborating with other organizations to address them.

“Since 1997, Spectrum Health Healthier Communities has built the
infrastructure, resources, community-based programs and services to
reach the people who need care the most,” said John O’Brien, chair of
the Foster G. McGaw Prize Committee. “Through impactful alliances with
community organizations, Spectrum Health has shown incredible
perseverance, patience and a vision to dramatically improve the health
of individuals in their communities and reduce healthcare costs.”

“We are honored to be recognized by the Baxter International Foundation
and the American Hospital Association for our work to empower vulnerable
populations and increase access to care,” said Richard C. Breon,
Spectrum Health President & CEO. “The Foster G. McGaw Prize represents
significant national recognition of our mission to improve the health of
the communities we serve. The award also recognizes the power of
collaboration. Healthier Communities is successful due to dozens of
community partners coming together to carry out this challenging yet
tremendously rewarding work.”

Spectrum Health Healthier Communities’ three areas of focus include
maternal and infant health, children’s health and preventing and
managing chronic disease through such initiatives as:

  • Strong Beginnings Program Eight area agencies work
    together to improve maternal-child health and eliminate racial and
    ethnic disparities in birth outcomes. The program, which offers
    outreach, case management, education, mental health services and a
    fatherhood program, has helped to significantly reduce the infant
    mortality rate in the county.
  • Community Partnerships for Wellness and Access to Healthy Food
    Programs specifically tailored to children and minority populations
    offer health screenings, coaching, fitness and nutritional support. In
    addition, four independent community agencies collaborate to provide
    healthy foods to underserved and impoverished individuals.
  • School Health Advocacy Program – A partnership with seven local
    school districts serving nearly 29,000 students to provide first aid,
    medication administration, tracking/facilitating immunizations, care
    for chronic health conditions and communicable disease prevention. In
    less populated areas, telemedicine services are provided.
  • Core Health Program – A chronic disease management program for
    underserved individuals, reaching more than 2,500 community members to
    date, that has demonstrated a measurable impact by achieving the
    Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Triple Aim goals – a framework
    that describes an approach to optimizing health system performance.

Through programs like the Foster G. McGaw Prize, the Baxter
International Foundation continues to recognize and celebrate health
organizations that support an integrated approach to better and more
easily accessible care.

“The Foster G. McGaw Prize recognizes healthcare organizations that
serve as role models for taking a synergistic approach to improve the
health of the people in their communities. This year’s winner and
finalists offer wide-ranging programs to meet the needs of their
vulnerable populations,” said Stacey Eisen, president of the Baxter
International Foundation and vice president, global communications at
Baxter. “Through involved leadership, dedicated staff and community
collaboration, they significantly improve the lives of the patients they
serve and the communities in which they operate.”

2016 Finalists

Three Foster G. McGaw finalists also were recognized for their
significant community health programs and will each receive $10,000.
These finalists include:

  • Children’s HealthSM, the leading pediatric
    health system in North Texas, for its unique approach in using a
    cross-sector coalition to improve the health and well-being of
    children in the community.
  • ProMedica in Toledo, Ohio, for establishing numerous community
    health programs for low-income residents, including collaborative
    approaches to tackling hunger and peer abuse.
  • White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif., for its
    dedicated prevention programs, including healthy eating and
    interventions for pregnant and post-partum women, as well as advancing
    a health careers program to ensure sustainable health among all
    members of the community.

Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in Western
Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health
Hospital Group, which is comprised of 12 hospitals, including Helen
DeVos Children’s Hospital; about 180 ambulatory and service sites; more
than 3,200 physicians and advanced practice providers, including about
1,400 members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health,
a health plan with about 752,000 members. Spectrum Health is West
Michigan’s largest employer, with 25,200 employees. The organization
provided more than $326 million in community benefit during its 2016
fiscal year. Spectrum Health was named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health
Systems—and in the top five among the largest health systems—by Truven
Health Analytics™ for 2016. This is the fifth time the organization has
received this recognition. Learn more at www.spectrumhealth.org.

The Foster G. McGaw Prize

Celebrating more than 30 years of honoring excellence in community
service, the Foster G. McGaw Prize recognizes healthcare organizations
that are committed 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

The American Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association of
healthcare provider organizations and individuals that are committed to
the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national
advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health
care systems, networks and other providers of care. Founded in 1898, the
AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of
information on health care issues and trends. Its not-for-profit
research and education affiliate, the Health Research & Educational
Trust, aims to create new knowledge, tools and assistance in improving
the delivery of healthcare by providers and practitioners within the
communities they serve. For more information, visit www.aha.org.

About Baxter and the Baxter International Foundation

Baxter and the Baxter International Foundation are committed to saving
and sustaining lives and creating healthier communities. Every day,
Baxter employees strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of
people who depend on Baxter products, and in the communities where
employees live and work. The company focuses on three core areas
including improving access to healthcare; fostering tomorrow’s
innovation and serving its communities. Baxter works closely with public
and private partners around the world to ensure people have access to
the healthcare they need, to develop the next generation of innovators
who will lead the way in advancing care, and to create long-lasting
impact in Baxter’s communities. The Baxter International Foundation
supports initiatives and organizations that make a positive, lasting
impact on increasing access to healthcare for the disadvantaged and
underserved.

Contacts

Beth Cranson, Spectrum Health
elizabeth.cranson@spectrumhealth.org
616-391-2603
or
Samantha
Dean, American Hospital Association
sdean@aha.org
202-626-2264
or
Jori
Fine, Baxter
media@baxter.com
224-948-5166

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