A NOTE FROM Dr. Jan Young When Regional One Health leaders approached us in 2016 about supporting a new model of care for our city’s most vulnerable residents, we listened. At the Assisi Foundation of Memphis, our mission is effective philanthropy, guided by a special legacy of service for the public good. “Our moral imperative is to never forget to serve those who live in the shadows: the poor, the sick; the handicapped, the abandoned.” Their aspirational promise was that the ONE Health initiative would address more than health, meeting patients where they are and helping with housing, food, employment and more. Recognizing the challenge organizations face to coordinate resources more effectively, their plan to have skilled social workers and clinicians work with community partners was not only compelling but in alignment with the goals of the Foundation. In 2017, the Assisi Foundation Board approved a three-year grant to support ONE Health to initiate the strategy to address not only the presenting health issue but the additional complexities of managing contributing social determinants. With ONE Health, Regional One Health built a model of whole-person care initially focused on “super-utilizers” – patients who make the most emergency department visits and inpatient hospital stays. The original vision for ONE Health has come to fruition and is making a transformative, life-changing impact on numerous people throughout our community. To date, more than 200 patients have enrolled in ONE Health and worked with the complex care team to create their health and social management plans. The early results are impressive. ONE Health has over 60 “graduates,” stable patients who are now able to live more independently. Regional One Health is seeing significant drops in emergency visits and inpatient admissions among ONE Health patients, as well as big improvements in common health indicators like blood pressure and blood sugar screenings. The ONE Health team delivered on the promise. The Assisi Foundation joins others nationally to acknowledge the noteworthy and exceptional efforts of Regional One Health Foundation and the ONE Health team in creating systems to ensure the long-term health and wellbeing of our community. With the combined support of generous donors like you, Regional One Health will continue to build a brighter, healthier future for all Memphians. Dr. Jan Young Executive Director The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc. regionalonehealth.org/foundation/change-a-life-donate-today/ 3
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