The ARCHES Project, a program of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, was one of 10 programs from across the country named a Program of Excellence by the Hospital Charitable Service Awards, a national program sponsored by Jackson Healthcare.
The ARCHES Project takes Jefferson health professionals and students into the community to improve the health and well-being of Philadelphians in greatest need by marshaling the resources of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Thomas Jefferson University and its highly-regarded Department of Family and Community Medicine, and partnering with community organizations and neighborhoods.
The 10 programs were commended for exceptional work in setting new standards for giving back to their communities in sustainable ways. At a banquet that was the culmination of the Hospital Charitable Services Conference, each winning program was presented with a $10,000 investment toward their growth.
Jefferson's ARCHES program (Access and Advocacy; Research, Evaluation and Outcomes Measurement; Community Partnerships and Outreach; Health Education, Screening and Prevention Programs; Education of Health Professions Students and Providers; Service Delivery Systems Innovation), provides medical services, health education and resources to current and formerly homeless men, women and children; diabetes self-management education to residents of North Philadelphia; education on healthy eating and safe places to be active for Philadelphia youths, and health education and prevention to treat the neighborhood economic, social and physical factors that are determinants of health and disease.
"We are delighted to be recognized for our efforts by the Hospital Charitable Service Awards," says James Plumb, MD, MPH, director of the Center for Urban Health, and one of the leaders of the ARCHES program. "Over the past 15 years we have made great strides in improving health outcomes and chronic disease management in communities in Philadelphia with few resources and very little access to health care. We have made partnerships with community-based organizations and tailored our programs to reflect community, need, voice and culture," he says.
Jackson Healthcare instituted the Hospital Charitable Service Awards in 2010 to honor exemplary hospital-sponsored community programs, share their stories and make them models for other programs. Jackson Healthcare also uses the awards to cultivate a community of charitable hospital programs that want to encourage and learn from one another, and establish best practices.
"These initiatives are not alone in giving back to their communities," said Charles R. Evans, FACHE, Chairman of the Hospital Charitable Service Awards program. "What makes them truly extraordinary is the impact they achieve through their commitment to serving others, and the outstanding ways they make substantial and caring contributions."
A total of 197 nominees were chosen from a wide field of applicants. Those candidates were narrowed to a field of 38 official finalists. The 10 Programs of Excellence were chosen from among them.
Each nominee had to demonstrate excellence in at least one of five areas: community impact, innovation, collaboration, transferability and/or best practice.
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