Sarah Garland Jones Center
The health and well-being of the greater Richmond community are constantly evolving. So, keeping up-to-date on what residents need to get and stay healthy is a top priority for Bon Secours, which operates seven hospitals and four freestanding emergency departments as well as a network of ambulatory care sites, specialty and primary care practices across the Richmond region spanning from Southern Virginia to the Northern Neck.
Bon Secours’ mission to improve the health and well-being of their communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved, is at the core of everything the health ministry does. As part of Bon Secours’ commitment as a nonprofit, mission-driven, faith-based health system, the organization conducts an in-depth Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years. The assessment pinpoints the key areas of health need in the community, which helps the ministry identify what areas to focus on to improve the overall health of the community. Based on this information, Bon Secours created a three-year plan of action, known as a Community Health Implementation Plan (CHIP), which ensures that resources for outreach, prevention, education and wellness are directed towards the opportunities where the greatest impact can be realized.
The Process
Bon Secours’ 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment survey, which was fielded between October 2021 and April 2022, was conducted in partnership with a diverse mix of nonprofits, government agencies, public health entities and community members to collect both qualitative and quantitative data.
The survey spanned a 24-locality service area which consists of nearly 1.4 million people, and a total of 1,370 individuals responded to the survey which was fielded in both English and Spanish.
During this six-month period, five community conversations occurred in which 75 individuals participated. In-person opportunities were offered in the East End of Richmond, Petersburg, and in Kilmarnock in the Northern Neck, and additional opportunities were offered via Zoom. Lastly, Bon Secours conducted interviews with key stakeholders to conduct deep dives into specific topics and issues, which helped to clarify the results of the survey and community conversations.
The Results
After analyzing survey responses, community conversations and information from key stakeholders, four overarching values emerged that have become integral considerations in the creation of the Community Health Implementation Plan: fostering an environment of justice; facilitating access, opportunity and belonging; listening, learning and collaborative action; and addressing systemic issues and root causes. From these values, five key health needs were identified that now serve as a foundation for Bon Secours’ 2023-2025 Community Health Implementation Plan:
Chronic Disease and Prevention
Engagement and Inclusion
Mental Health
Social and Economic Disparity
Violence and Trauma
Bon Secours’ 2023-2025 Community Health Implementation Plan Highlights
Manchester Community Health Clinic
Chronic Disease and Prevention
To prevent and manage chronic disease, residents of the Richmond community need more treatment options and better health education. Bon Secours is working to establish local partnerships and provide financial support to maintain a vital health safety net that will provide the care and information area residents need.
Open and operate Manchester Health Clinic and East End Wellness Center for uninsured and underinsured
Strengthen health care safety net through at least $2 million of investments serving the uninsured and underinsured populations
East End Wellness Clinic Exam Room
Engagement and Inclusion
To stay in touch with the community and to monitor the results of its 2023-2025 action plan, Bon Secours is pursuing opportunities to engage with Richmond residents, leaders and stakeholders in the organization’s service areas.
Host at least 10 community-focused events on neighborhood-level engagement, social connectedness and diversity, equity and inclusion
Convene town halls at least once a quarter to discuss learnings and identify opportunities for partnerships and collaborations
Mental Health
There’s a growing need for mental health services in the Richmond community, so Bon Secours is working to increase mental and behavioral health screenings and referrals, and to create community partnerships that will give residents better access to mental health care.
Expand access to mental health services across emergency, inpatient, outpatient and telehealth settings
Invest at least $1 million in school-based mental health needs in our communities
East End Bus Shelter
Social and Economic Disparity
Inequality and social and economic disparities make it harder for some people to access quality health care. Bon Secours is increasing its investment in community-based organizations to overcome these disparities by expanding the capacity of equal health care services and treatment for all people, especially those in poor and underserved communities.
Invest over $3 million to address economic equity, affordable housing, education, workforce development and the built environment
Grow community health worker and other allied health worker net work by at least 20% to connect patients to resources
Violence Response Team Suite
Violence and Trauma
The 2022 needs assessment showed a troubling trend: increasingly frequent instances of interpersonal and community violence. Bon Secours is working to promote safer communities and to expand the scope of services available to victims of violent acts.
Invest at least $2.5 million to promote safer, supportive communities
Expand interpersonal and community violence services into Petersburg area
Through these and other avenues, Bon Secours is continuing to establish itself as a compassionate provider of health care services for all people, especially the ones who need them the most, within the larger Richmond community.
To learn more about Bon Secours’ Community Commitment or to view the results of the 2022 Bon Secours Richmond CHNA Survey, visit bonsecours.com.
