In recognition of the program’s tangible impact on health outcomes in the Dan River Region, the Regional Engagement to Advance Community Health (REACH) Partnership has been named as a 2023 Health Quality Innovator of the Year. The Health Quality Innovator Awards is the annual awards program created by Health Quality Innovators (HQI) that recognizes and celebrates organizations that are using successful, evidence-based approaches to improve health care quality and outcomes. The REACH Partnership was selected as the winner in the Rural Health category.
A systems approach to improve community health, the REACH Partnership addresses systemic barriers to physical and mental health services for at-risk populations. REACH brings disparate and siloed health providers together to reduce avoidable emergency department and hospital use and to address chronic disease and health factors. Coordinated care teams, which include cross-agency Community Health Workers, Care Coordinators and Community Paramedics, work together to advance health equity.
“We’re incredibly proud that the REACH Partnership has been recognized as a Health Quality Innovator of the Year. Collaboration among the organizations involved is what drives the success and impact of the REACH Partnership, and we are excited to continue advancing positive health outcomes in the Dan River Region.” – Dr. Cassandra Shelton-Bowman, REACH Program Manager
There are approximately 20 community health workers and community paramedics in strategic locations across the service area focused on increasing clients’ access to services and improving their health management through education, informal counseling, social support, outreach and advocacy. From 2021 through 2023, the REACH Partnership has:
- Made 3,592 connections to resources for 350+ clients
- Maintained an active minimum client load of 250 clients
- Reduced emergency room visits for 45% of clients, connected 53% of clients to primary care, and connected 63% of clients to food and housing resources
“The Community Health Workers, Community Paramedics, and Care Coordinators that make up the REACH Partnership are some of the most caring and dedicated professionals in our community. Not only are they changing the lives of the individuals they serve, but together, their collective impact is moving the needle on our region’s population health outcomes. This honor and recognition is so well-deserved.” – Maggie Richardson, Regional Coordinator, the Health Collaborative
Learn more about the 2023 Health Quality Innovators of the Year.
About the REACH Partnership
The Regional Engagement to Advance Community Health (REACH) Partnership, an effort supported by The Health Collaborative of the Dan River Region, includes the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (lead and fiscal agent), the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Piedmont Access to Community Health Services, Gateway Health, Sovah Health Danville, Compassion Healthcare, the Danville Life Saving Crew, Caswell County EMS, Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services and Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The project is funded by a $6.3 million grant from the Danville Regional Foundation. The REACH Partnership serves the residents of Danville, VA, Pittsylvania County, VA, and Caswell County, NC, a population of approximately 125,000 across the three-locality footprint.
About HQI
Health Quality Innovators (HQI) is an independent, non-profit consulting organization that offers health care providers practical solutions backed by objectivity and expertise. They consult on complex government healthcare programs, implement change on the front lines of care and shine new light on improvement challenges. HQI serves as the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN), bringing together organizations and individuals who are making health care better for millions of Americans through funding provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Quality Improvement Organization Program. Members include hospitals, providers, community-based organizations, health care associations and families.
