ONE PROGRAM LIKE NO OTHER Making a Difference… Where a passion for patient care and the desire to make a difference in the community meet, there is Regional One Health’s ONE Health complex care program. Complex care programs are designed to better address the needs of patients with multiple health and social needs who require a coordinated and comprehensive approach. These programs aim to not only improve patient outcomes, but also manage health care costs more effectively. ONE Health was started after Regional One Health recognized an issue with high emergency department utilization, with a small group of patients accounting for a large percentage of visits and costs. In Memphis, some patients would come to the ED because it was the only place they could get medications for chronic conditions or the only place they could find food or shelter. Nationwide, there is an increasing recognition of the need for an integrated care model that addresses multiple facets of a patient’s health. These programs represent a significant advancement in how health care systems address the needs of patients with complex conditions, reflecting a more holistic and patientcentered approach. One of the pioneers in the field is our very own Susan Cooper, Regional One Health Senior Vice President and Chief Integration Officer. She shares the inspiring journey and its significant impact with a compassion, dedication, and commitment to improving the lives of those she serves. 16 2024 Gratitude Report “The genesis of the ONE Health program stemmed from a deep-seated desire to address the needs of uninsured individuals,” Cooper said. “The lack of insurance often meant that people without coverage would turn to the emergency department as their primary care solution – and this frequent, emergencybased approach was not only inefficient but highlighted a broader issue.” Cooper explained that understanding the magnitude of the problem required a meticulous analysis of data. This datadriven approach revealed the astonishing frequency with which certain individuals were using emergency services. The numbers surprised both Cooper and Regional One Health President and CEO Reginald Coopwood, MD. ONE Health was designed to serve uninsured Shelby County adults with high utilization of health care by helping them access medical care and address health related social needs such as housing, transportation, and food. These patients, averaging 50 years old, often have three to five chronic conditions and face significant
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