Working with Community Partners to Create a More Value-Driven and Equitable Healthcare System

In February 2022, GBMC HealthCare received the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) Pathways to Health Equity grant*. We are fortunate to partner with about a dozen community organizations who have been chosen to help address our patients' social determinants of health. The grant supports innovative programs designed to achieve equitable access to healthcare and reduce health disparities.

The grant allows us to focus on medically underserved communities in Baltimore City, and the ways we are making care more accessible are two-fold:

• Through our GBMC Health Partners Jonestown primary care practice, where we offer flexible hours, an on-site laboratory, 24/7 online portal access, and even rides to and from appointments if transportation is a barrier
• Through our Gilchrist Elder Medical Care program, which offers care to those who are 55+ with chronic disease in the comfort of home

With the help of our partners, we’re also able to connect city residents with resources like fresh groceries, fitness programs, legal and insurance help, mental health services, wellness programs, transportation, and more. By improving access to medical care and lifestyle resources, we reduce the barriers to achieving better health and address chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity that contribute to avoidable hospital visits and shortened life expectancy.

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with our Baltimore City community partners to talk about our efforts and how we can continue to get the word out about this opportunity for residents of Baltimore City. I was grateful for this chance because it was the first time we’ve all been able to come together in person, in the same space for a valuable conversation about our organizations and how we can take action to build trust in the neighborhoods we serve. I look forward to continuing to build relationships with these wonderful organizations as we take the next steps for the community.

I’d like to take a moment to recognize and thank my GBMC HealthCare colleagues who are leading this effort: Cathy Hamel, President of Gilchrist and Executive Vice President of Continuing Care;
Erlene Washington, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of GBMC Health Partners; Karen Thompkins, Director of Community Partnerships; and Wayman Scott, Associate Director of DEI and Community Relations.

I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to our Pathways grant community partners: 

• Live Chair Health
• Bmore Community Food
• The Mr. Mack Lewis Foundation
• Living Classrooms Foundation
• Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
• GEDCO
• City Springs Elementary/Middle School
• Helping Up Mission
• Morgan State University School of Social Work

*This program is funded in part by the Maryland General Assembly as part of the Maryland Health Equity Resource Act. Grant funding is administered by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission. For more information, please visit: https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/Pages/herc.aspx. The views presented here are those of the grantee organization and not necessarily those of the Commission, its Commissioners, or its staff.