SA: Ms. Nelson, some of our readers may not be familiar with what Catholic Health Initiatives is. Please briefly summarize is its mission. What services does Catholic Health Initiatives provide in the Fargo area? Does this include all the surrounding rural areas of Fargo and Moorhead?
MN: Catholic Health Initiatives is a national nonprofit health organization with headquarters in Denver and operations in 19 states. Fargo is home to one of our regional offices. We also operate two local facilities: Friendship, Inc., a long-term care and residential facility, and Riverview Place, a facility with 150 independent-living apartments for seniors. Throughout the region, CHI operates seven hospitals and acute-care facilities in rural North Dakota and five in Minnesota.
Catholic Health Initiatives thrives on our vision of Catholic health care as a vibrant ministry, ready to provide compassionate care of the body, mind and spirit through the 21st century and beyond.
SA: CHI is among the nation’s largest faith-based health systems. Approximately how many people does it currently serve nationally? How many locally?
MN: Catholic Health Initiatives is the nation’s third-largest Catholic health care system. In fiscal year 2009, our patient-care activity included:
• Acute inpatient days: 1.9 million
• Acute admissions: 435,500
• Physician visits: 4.1 million
• Home-based visits: 721,300
Locally, we serve on an average daily basis 1,000 clients ranging as far west as Williston, N.D., as far north as Baudette, Minn., and as far south as Pierre, S.D. We utilize one electronic charting system among all our agencies, which allows us to serve the client 24/7 without having the inconvenience of having to go to the office for the client’s paper chart. Our nurses are able to perform Home Health and Hospice services, so if a transition is needed, it is done by the same nurse. Our goal is to provide services to the client in the comfort of their own home.
SA: In 1998, CHI created a program called the Direct Community Investment Program, which has provided $43 million for low-interest loans, as well as $29 million in grants. How does CHI receive its funding in order to help build healthier communities?
MN: Catholic Health Initiatives’ Direct Community Investment Program provides low-interest loans to organizations that give disadvantaged people access to jobs, housing, education and health care. Since 1999, the program has invested more than $25 million in the services and projects of 36 organizations in the United States and elsewhere.
Together, Catholic Health Initiatives facilities provided $553 million during the 2009 fiscal year in charity care and community benefit, including services for the poor, free clinics, education and research. Individual facilities and the national organization include community benefit in their general-fund budgets. Catholic Health Initiatives is committed to providing 2 percent of its total operating investment program assets (currently more than $60 million) as direct community investments.
SA: Catholic Health Initiatives prides itself on delivering new and innovative health care strategies to the communities it serves. How has CHI incorporated these strategies and programs into the services provided in the F-M area?
MN: Staff members at Riverview Place are always looking for new ways to keep seniors active physically, mentally and spiritually. Communiversity, for example, is a collaboration with three local colleges to provide university-level courses to people in the community.
Technology and new processes are introduced to provide the most effective health care services. New approaches to care and services also are discussed and implemented at Friendship, Inc. Our staff is creative in finding employment and other day-support activities for people who have severe mental retardation or physical challenges. People in our residential facilities benefit from the staff’s training in the latest support techniques and approaches.
Many of Catholic Health Initiatives’ hospitals are participating in pioneering clinical trials, often working with renowned organizations like the National Institutes of Health. Thousands of patients have already benefited from clinical trials exploring new cancer treatments. In partnership with academia, the federal government and the pharmaceutical industry, among others, we are advancing a range of new, personalized health care options.
SA: As our population of baby boomers grows older, what options does CHI have for elderly patients hoping to be able to stay in their homes, living independently if they choose for as long as possible? What support services are available through Catholic Health Initiatives?
MN: More and more medical services across the country are being provided outside hospitals. Instead, patients most often receive care in physician offices, outpatient and specialty centers and in their homes. Many of our facilities provide at-home care, working with a patient’s physician to develop an individual care plan. At-home services could include nursing care, IV therapy, physical therapy, speech/language pathology, occupational therapy, social services and home health aides. Home respiratory care, medical equipment and health care supplies – with training for at-home caregivers – often is available so an individual can be comfortable and cared for at home. We at CHI strive to provide affordable services to patients of all ages, in the comfort of their own home.
SA: Is money an issue for any patient not able to pay for services provided by CHI?
MN: We welcome all who need our services, regardless of their ability to pay. We rely on our Catholic heritage to make Jesus present in each facility. Our facilities provide millions of dollars in care for those who cannot afford it.
SA: My understanding is that a patient does not need to actually belong to a Catholic church in order to receive support or patient care. Denomination or religious affiliation is not a priority. Is this correct?
MN: Catholic Health Initiatives serves all people who need care, regardless of religious affiliation. As a faith-based organization, we adhere to core values of reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence. Those values guide our interactions with all of our relationships.
SA: Margaret, in your opinion and as an advocate for providing health care to all people in need, regardless of their ability to pay, what service is CHI providing that other health care systems are not providing as well or at all presently?
MN: In rural areas and large cities alike, Catholic Health Initiatives facilities are part of the community’s support system. We often partner with other organizations to provide necessary services. Sometimes we take the lead, too, when there’s a specific need to be addressed. Our Mission and Ministry Fund grants support innovative projects designed to improve the health of a community. Millions of dollars in grants have funded programs such as free dental care, end-of-life care services for minorities, violence prevention, children’s readiness for school, pain management programs and much more.
SA: Please give Catholic Health Initiatives’ contact information so those who would like more information about it and the services it offers will know how to reach your office.
MN: The best way to learn more about our facilities and services is through our website:
www.catholichealth.net.
Catholic Health Initiatives of Fargo Director
Margaret Nelson