Augusta Health has recently been recognized for its efforts to improve healthcare access in vulnerable communities at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Health Equity Conference. The hospital received a Health Equity Award for its implementation of Augusta Health Neighborhood Clinics, which have expanded to operate at 14 unique sites each month with the support of community partners.
Dr. Clint Merritt, chief physician executive and chief medical officer of Augusta Health, stated that the program was driven by the hospital’s belief that its mission had broadened during the COVID-19 pandemic to become more inclusive, collaborative, and responsive to local health disparities. The system recognized the need to address insufficient patient access to primary care and took action to meet this need.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services acknowledged Augusta Health for increasing community members’ access to primary care, reducing unnecessary emergency room visits, and improving outcomes related to chronic diseases. During the first year of operation, the neighborhood clinics provided over 1,700 primary care visits for 825 patients at 17 community sites. This recognition highlights Augusta Health’s commitment to addressing health disparities in underserved communities and providing quality healthcare to those in need.