1. Congregations as a Public Health Resource in Rural Settings Webinar
Rev. Cheree’ Johnson, M.N.O, M.Div.
Coordinator for Church Relations,
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center & Advocate Eureka Hospital
Normal, IL
August 29, 2016

2. Today we’ll talk about:
Characteristics of rural congregations
Impact of new directions in health care
Possibilities for partnerships
Church/ Faith Community affiliation Model

3. Some Characteristics of Rural Congregations
Depopulation, particularly among young adults
“Graying” of the pews
Church structure primarily family/ relationship based
Benefit to stakeholders/ congregants high motivator

4. Some Characteristics of Rural Congregations
Bi-vocational/ Multiple charge pastors
History/ tradition important
Deep roots in the community
Primed for partnership
i.e. Church plants in Urban/ growing areas
Home/ World Missions

5. The Future of Healthcare: Dramatic, Irreversible, & Systemic Industry Change
Systems will take responsibility for the entirety of the care continuum
Care will be available where, when and how the consumer wants it – schools, malls, homes, mobile clinics, on-line, etc.
Government sources will make up 70-80% of reimbursement
Catchment areas will become virtual – what does this mean? Reimbursement = how health systems are paid; what makes it irreversible

6. Impact of new directions in health care
Fewer than 100 health systems to operate in US – mostly locally driven with as few as 3 or 4 nationals
Limited number in rural communities or with easy access for rural residents
Acute care hospitals will treat most complex, high cost members while all other care will move to lowest-cost, highest-quality, most-accessible sites
Health care delivery moving out of rural communities leading to concerns about familiarity with providers, consistency and trust of health care system
What is “member centricity”? Is “market” the same thing as “service area”? Community? Do we need this bullet?

7. Impact of new directions in health care
Priorities of population health management keep needs of rural communities at the forefront of local planning
Regular Community Health needs assessments
Government, social service and health care organizations working together to address identified health issues in a given community
Most organizations are focusing on a “Triple Aim” approach that influences the setting of health care priorities which ultimately has an impact on what care is available and how it is available in rural areas.
Coordinated care
Improved outcomes
Lower cost

8. Possibilities for Partnerships
More than survey sources
Active engagement / relationship building
Adding value to church/ faith community’s mission
Challenges working in the arena of faith

9. Church Affiliation Model
Advocate BroMenn/ Advocate Eureka Delegate Church Association (DCA)

10. DCA Vision Statement
Tending the spiritual identity of the hospitals and empowering and resourcing delegate members/clusters to address faith-health needs/issues in their congregations and communities in order to improve the health and well-being of our community.

11. History The Brokaw Mennonite Association (BMA) BMA Function
Formed in 1984 after the merger of Brokaw & Mennonite Hospitals.
It was formed “to support and encourage health care ministries.”
BMA Function
Election of Board of Directors
Joint Ministry Projects
Spiritual Stewardship

12. The Delegate Church Association
82 Church members
Diversity in member churches
Meet 3 times a year
Approve nominations to the Governing Council
Theological Statement
Shared Ministry Projects
Delegate Church Health Tips
Governed by Delegate Executive Committee

13. Theological Statement
2015 Residents Orientation
Theological Statement
There are Five unique features of a faith based medical center of the Delegate Churches:
Lives with a sense of calling from God.
Is identified with its theological roots.
Lives with a lively sense of its history
-Understands itself to be a partner in a total health care ministry.
-Needs to be at the forefront of community health care involvement.

14. Webpage

15. Questions????