Health Initiatives

Oregon Community Health Initiatives

Providence has been at the forefront of advancing community health by improving healthcare access and addressing health disparities. Our engaged investing approach utilizes strategic partnerships, data-driven solutions, and community-focused models. Through this approach, Providence aims to create positive change in our communities.

Data for Change Initiative

Data for Change was launched in 2021 by Providence Community Health and Providence Center for Outcomes Research and Education (CORE) to improve data capabilities for Providence community benefit grantees. Since the start of the initiative, CORE has offered 446 hours of support through mentoring, shared learning opportunities, and an annual Data Summit. In 2024, Data for Change received the Portland Business Journal’s Innovations in Philanthropy award for its community impact.

Building Community through Collective Impact

In 2014, Providence Hood River Hospital collaborated with the United Way to enhance grant funding capabilities in Hood River by funding the Collective Impact Health Specialist position. This funding partnership fostered collaboration across sectors, launching 65+ programs, creating over 60 jobs, training over 100 Community Health Workers, and securing $18.5 million in funding. The model involves providing the community with technical resources for cross-sector engagement, allowing them to identify needs and improve collaboration skills. In 2024, this approach was replicated in the north coast community through Providence Seaside Hospital, focusing on community asset cataloguing and fostering trust and collaboration among partners. Three collaborative funding applications worth over $15 million were submitted as of December 2024.

Health Systems Access to Care Fund (HSACF)

Founded by Providence alongside Kaiser Permanente NW, Legacy Health, and PeaceHealth, the HSACF funds community-supported clinics in Oregon and Southwest Washington. These funds enhance clinics' infrastructure and capacity in response to healthcare reforms, Medicaid transformations, and safety net pressures. In 2024 the community of practice collectively provided over 26,500 patient visits.

Medication Assistance Program

The Medication Assistance Program (MAP) is a vital service designed to ease the financial burden and stress of accessing essential medications. This includes life-saving prescription and costly infusion treatments crucial for preventing and managing diseases. By enhancing medication access, MAP not only significantly improves patient well-being but also helps reduce the health system expenses on uncompensated care.

Serving the entire Providence Oregon region, MAP accepts patient referrals from healthcare providers, clinic staff, and financial counselors. To qualify, patients must complete applications and meet specific income criteria. Through MAP, countless patients gain the support they need to maintain their health without the overwhelming costs.

In 2024, MAP served over 4,200 patients and submitted over 8,000 applications to pharmaceutical companies. In that year, patients received over $138 million in free medications and co-pay/grant assistance for medications that are critical to their treatment and recovery.

Contact us: communitybenefit@providence.org