Community Benefit Program Recipients of 2013

When Dignity Health sets out to care for its community, we really care. Yes, we provide compassion and advanced services to patients within our physical facilities, regardless of a person's ability to pay. But our care extends beyond the walls of our hospitals and urgent cares. We strive to touch the lives of individuals and families in all stations of life, with a variety of needs, throughout the community.

Families in need routinely receive immunizations and dental care and education. Each year we hold a Back to School Immunization Clinic where free immunizations are made available to children 18-years-old and younger. And our First Things First Oral Child Health Program helps improve oral health care for underserved children in the community – more than 900 last year alone. Poor oral health has physical, emotional, and developmental consequences that can have lasting effects on a child’s future. We received a grant last year to provide $3.1 million across five years for this program which provides disadvantaged children with a dental home and needed education, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride varnish treatments, sealants, and referrals, and has received national attention for its success.

Childhood safety is a top priority for us as we think of ways we can help our neighbors stay healthy. We are proud to partner with local fire departments to make sure car seats are properly installed and that each child has a safe ride, either by appointment or at one of our Car Seat Clinics. Our Helmet Your Head program teaches children the importance of wearing helmets when riding bikes, skateboards, scooters and similar activities. And children are thought to think about their actions and possible safety problems in our Think First program.

For those dealing with chronic illness or recovering from a medical event, our support groups can provide healing for the mind and spirit. Education and support can help patients and their families improve health and enjoy life, and more than 5,000 people attended these groups and classes last year. Our Diabetes support, for example, provides patients with a fun, interactive and informative Discovering Diabetes five-week program. This program encourages people to learn how the foods and activities they enjoy can still be a part of their lives without sacrificing diabetes control. Our HealthSpan™ program strives to provide healthcare education by providing physicians to speak to groups throughout the community on a wide range of health topics that have included heart health, women’s health, neurology, orthopedics, sports medicine, cancer, sleep disorders, pain management, arthritis and general wellness.

Each of these programs help to fulfill the needs of our neighbors and contribute to a healthier community. All are free to the public and are made possible with support from the Dignity Health Foundation East Valley, which generally provides necessary equipment, and Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers, which provide medical staff.

For information about how you can help us continue to provide these types of services in our community, please visit us at SupportDignityHealthEastValley or call us at (480) 728-3931.