What’s happening: Fresh off the late-April news that
Munson Healthcare had donated $300,000 to Traverse Health Clinic to expand their Street Medicine Program in Traverse City, the Northern Michigan health system is receiving recognition for their work with a national award from the American Hospital Association (AHA). Munson Healthcare was one of just five hospitals to receive the AHA’s Dick Davidson NOVA Award nationwide, as announced on Tuesday, May 7.
What it is: The Dick Davidson NOVA Award is the AHA’s award for hospital-led collaborative efforts to improve community health.
“This year’s Dick Davidson NOVA Award winners have demonstrated dedication and commitment to improving community health by forging strong partnerships with other community organizations,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “These hospitals and health systems offer exemplary and essential services and programs that have adapted and evolved to effectively meet the changing needs of their communities.”
Why they won: A partnership between Munson Healthcare,
Traverse Health Clinic, and
Goodwill of Northern Michigan launched their Street Medicine Program in 2020 and has since provided care to more than 1,000 people experiencing homelessness in and around Traverse City. The program was expanded in fall 2022, using a federal grant to add a Mobile Medical Unit to the program. And earlier this April, Munson Healthcare donated $300,000 to expand the program over the next two years, funding upgrades to the mobile unit and the hiring of a full-time community coordinator.
Why it’s important: “As our unhoused population has continued to grow in northern Michigan, we want to ensure that folks have access to the health care services they need when they are the most vulnerable to significant or chronic health issues,” said Ed Ness, Munson Healthcare President and CEO.
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