In
this issue
Essentia
Health helps community members access healthy food options
Essentia Health supports farmers markets in Northeast Minnesota
to increase food dollars for low-income residents who are Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants through an EBT-matching
program. The Lincoln Park Farmers Market and the Hilltop Market in Duluth, as well
as the Virginia Square Market, accept EBT from SNAP users as a form of payment
and provide a one-to-one match of up to $15 per day. Hunger Solutions
Minnesota, a hunger relief organization, provides the first $10 of the match
and Essentia Health contributes the remaining $5. Last year, Essentia’s
matching contributions totaled approximately $5,000.
The benefit of the match program is twofold: low-income customers are able to
stretch their food assistance dollars to purchase healthy, local foods and producers
are fairly compensated for their goods. This helps to build stronger, more
inclusive communities.
During the last farmer’s market season, SNAP participants used $4,880 from
their EBT cards at farmers markets in Duluth and Virginia, resulting in $10,046
circulated into the local farm economy. At the Lincoln Park Farmers Market,
there were more than 100 new SNAP participants this year. A survey conducted at
the Lincoln Park Market found that 42 percent of customers used an EBT card, 72
percent indicated that they had been introduced to new foods and 91 percent
thought their health was impacted positively by the market.
Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full Community Benefit Report. return to top
MHA
Healthcare Leadership Institute to be held March 7-9
The MHA Healthcare Leadership Institute, themed “Health Care in
Transition,” will be held March 7-9 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in
Plymouth. For more information or to register download the conference brochure or visit MHA’s website. Reserve accommodations online.
Health care consultant Jonathan H. Burroughs will open the conference with his
presentation, “Strategies for Rural Health Care Organizations to Succeed,”
which will provide a look at how rural facilities can not only embrace
disruptive innovation but also successfully make it the center of a new
delivery and business strategy. During a second presentation, “Consumer-Driven
Health Care — Are You Ready?” Burroughs will discuss what executives and
physicians must do to prepare for and support consumer-driven health care and
why service will be the great differentiator. He will share key elements that
make up world-class service in health care.
Futurist Ron Galloway’s presentation, “The Disrupters: How Amazon, Google and
CVS Plan to Change the Face of Health Care,” will examine how the three giants
are leveraging their existing frameworks into health care as they turn to data
and digital health and discuss their plans for our health care delivery system.
The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (MN BENHA) has
approved the content of this Institute for 14.25 clock hours. return to top
Nominate
your hospital or program for a 2018 MHA Award
Nominations due Friday, March 9
Is your hospital a best Minnesota workplace? Do you have an innovative patient
safety program or exemplary caregiver who deserves recognition? If so, consider
submitting a nomination for MHA’s annual awards program. For more than 30
years, the MHA Awards have celebrated outstanding work by Minnesota hospitals
and health systems and we want to honor you.
MHA award categories recognize excellence involving community health, best
workplace, and patient care, for example. Honors for individuals recognize
trustees, volunteers, hospital executives, caregivers and public officials.
Additional information on the categories and judging criteria can be found on MHA’s website.
Entries are due by Friday, March 9; find the entry form online.
MHA will notify all entrants whether they have won in mid-April. A reception
and dinner will take place Friday, June 1, at the Metropolitan Ballroom in
suburban Minneapolis. All MHA members and associate members are invited and
encouraged to attend the awards ceremony. Mark your calendars and plan to join
us for this celebration of excellence in Minnesota health care.
For more information, contact Sarah Bohnet, visual communications
specialist, MHA, 651-603-3494. return to top