Spectrum Health Program Changes Name, Not Focus

PANC Becomes Programa Puente

A successful program aimed at providing health information and services to Spanish-speaking community members has changed its name but not its mission.

Spectrum Health Programa De Apoyo A Nuestra Comunidad (PANC) – Helping Our Community – is now Spectrum Health Programa Puente – Latino Network.

“Our services have not changed,” confirmed Maria Del Carmen Cruz, Spectrum Health community program coordinator. “We believe that our new name better reflects how we connect the Hispanic community and health information and services.”

Spectrum Health’s Programa Puente (Latino Network) provides services for one year to individuals and families in the Hispanic community. Immigrants who are new to Kent County and have been in the United States less than one year are the target population. Services, which are provided in the client’s home, include education on preventive care, nutrition, risk behaviors and access to community resources. Clients are encouraged to learn English and receive assistance in locating suitable employment. Case managers also coordinate translation services and transportation needs for clients. For more information, please contact Maria Del Carmen Cruz at (616) 391-6199

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through its seven hospitals, more than 140 service sites and 565,000-member health plan, Priority Health.’ Spectrum Health’s 13,000 employees, 1,400 medical staff members and 2,000 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care to those in medical need.’ The organization provided more than $100 million in community benefit during its 2006 fiscal year. Spectrum Health has earned more than 50 national awards during the past 10 years.