Spectrum Health West Michigan

Strong Beginnings Wins American Hospital Association Award

Program Lauded for Reducing African American Infant Mortality Rate

Strong Beginnings Wins American Hospital Association Award

Program Lauded for Reducing African American Infant Mortality Rate

 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 12, 2016 – Strong Beginnings, a 10-year-old collaboration among eight community agencies, will receive the prestigious NOVA Award next week for its work to improve maternal and infant health among African Americans and Latinos in Kent County, the American Hospital Association (AHA) has announced.

The award recognizes hospital-led collaborative efforts that improve community health. Strong Beginnings, administered by Spectrum Health, was one of five programs nationwide to receive the award this year.

Through the use of community health workers, Strong Beginnings provides direct assistance to expectant and new mothers and also works to promote racial equity and improve the overall system of care.  Services include outreach to health providers, mental health services for clients, a fatherhood component and more. As a result, infant mortality rates among African Americans in Kent County have been cut in half over the last decade.

“We know that poverty, stress, racism, lack of social capital and discrimination are insidious forces that have a negative impact on birth outcomes,” said Ken Fawcett, vice president of Spectrum Health Healthier Communities. “Our Strong Beginnings team makes a difference in the lives of the families it serves and in the lives of the generations that follow.”

Former client Amber Perry recalled that Strong Beginnings offered her much-needed support and companionship. “My community health worker was not only someone I could talk to, she also helped me get baby clothes and a referral for a car seat.”  Last year, Perry became a community health worker in the Strong Beginnings program.

In addition to Spectrum Health, these community agencies comprise the Strong Beginnings team:

  • Arbor Circle
  • Cherry Health
  • Family Futures
  • Grand Rapids African American Health Institute
  • Healthy Kent 2020 Infant Health Team
  • Kent County Health Department
  • Metro Health

The NOVA Award, which recognizes successful partnerships that reach beyond the four walls of a hospital, will be presented to Strong Beginnings at an AHA leadership summit in San Diego on July 19. Programs in Dallas, Houston, Norfolk and Carrollton (Ga.), also will be recognized.

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

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