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Community Corner

Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Contributes $26.1 Million in Community Benefits

Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center (PSMEMC) contributed more than $26.1 million in community benefits to residents of the West Town, Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, Logan Square and Humboldt Park neighborhoods of Chicago, including outreach efforts that helped 90,669 people in 2013, announced Presence Health officials.

PSMEMC community benefits for these Chicago neighborhoods include:

·       $10.89 million in subsidized health services – conducting research studies and publicizing results to increase health knowledge throughout nearby communities.

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·       $8.04 million in financial assistance (at cost) – providing free or discounted health services for those who could not afford to pay and met financial-assistance criteria.

·       $5.51 million in health professions education – educating future medical professionals in programs that result in a degree, certificate or license in a health care field.

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·       $1.36 million in community health improvement – providing programs and activities to improve community health, including assessing community needs and program administration.

·       $340,462 of cash and in-kind contributions – donations and services provided to other community organizations.

“We know that serving our communities with a broad range of excellent health care solutions is the purest expression of our mission – changing lives for the better,” said Martin Judd, Regional President and CEO, PSMEMC. “Our success in that results directly from the trust of each patient and family member who seeks care and guidance from our accomplished teams of professionals and partners.”

The community benefit figures are based on Internal Revenue Service Form 990, Schedule H. Additional benefits include nearly $31 million in expenses for which services were provided but no payment was received, and a $4.1 million shortfall in Medicare reimbursement. Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth is recognized by the State of Illinois as a safety-net provider and also serves as the largest Medicaid provider in the state.

In total, Presence Health contributed nearly $200 million in community benefits statewide and helped more than 563,000 people according to the system-wide 2013 Community Benefit Report, which was recently released.

 

“Day by day, Presence Health works to ensure that everyone has access to the right care in the right place at the right time,” said Sandra Bruce, President and CEO of Presence Health. “We are committed to connecting people with the care, experts, resources and education they need to be their healthiest, no matter where they live or what their income. We are passionate about creating an inclusive culture of health that transforms lives and strengthens communities.”

 

The PSMEMC 2013 Community Benefit Report is available at http://www.presencehealth.org/about-presence/community-reports/presence-saints-mary-and-elizabeth-medical-center-chicago

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