Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) today announced the completion of 11 Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs), which will guide the ministry’s work over the next three years to address the most pressing health needs identified across the communities it serves.
The plans are the result of the ministry’s recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) process, that engaged hundreds of residents, community organizations, public health agencies and other stakeholders to better understand the unique health challenges facing each region. Input was gathered through community surveys, interviews and focus group discussions, ensuring the plans reflect the voices and priorities of the communities served. Combining community input with local health data, each CHIP is tailored to the specific needs of its community and establishes measurable strategies that will guide implementation, evaluate progress and improve health outcomes over time.
“A Community Health Improvement Plan is our commitment to turning what we’ve heard from residents into meaningful action,” said Gina Hemenway, system director of Community Health for Bon Secours Mercy Health. “It provides a focused framework for our teams, helping us align the people, partnerships and resources needed to address community priorities while also measuring the impact of our efforts over time. Ultimately, success means community members can see and feel the difference these strategies make in their daily lives.”
While the plans reflect the unique needs of each local community, they also reinforce the ministry’s broader commitment to improving health outcomes and advancing community well-being. Across the communities served, common areas of focus include access to health care, mental health and wellness, chronic disease prevention and management and addressing social determinates of health that influence overall health outcomes.
The CHIPs outline targeted investments, community partnerships and evidence-based strategies that will be implemented to address identified priorities. By working alongside community organizations, public health experts, schools, nonprofit partners and local residents, BSMH will implement collaborative solutions that strengthen community health and improve the quality of life.
“Improving community health requires more than any one organization can accomplish alone,” said Dr. Shivonne Laird, system director of Community Health Impact for Bon Secours Mercy Health. “These plans bring together residents, community organizations, public health leaders, schools, businesses and other partners around shared priorities and proven strategies. By working collectively and building on the strengths already present in each community, we can create lasting progress and help more people achieve their best possible health.”
A Community Health Improvement Plan serves as a roadmap for coordinated action, helping ensure resources are directed toward the priorities communities themselves have identified as most important. The plans also establish a framework for measuring progress and evaluating outcomes over time.
Community health improvement is a core component of Bon Secours Mercy Health’s commitment to creating healthier communities. Through collaborative partnerships and evidence-based strategies, the ministry works to improve access to care, address health disparities and support the social and economic factors that influence health and well-being.
The Community Health Improvement Plans for all Bon Secours Mercy Health regions are publicly available at https://www.mercy.com/about-us/mission/giving-back/community-health-needs-assessment and https://www.bonsecours.com/about-us/community-commitment/community-health-needs-assessment.
