As a part of the region’s only not-for-profit health system, Parkview takes its mission to heart. Parkview Hospital exists for one purpose – to improve the health of the communities we serve. Parkview Hospital gives back to the community in the form of improved facilities, education and outreach programs, free and discounted care, volunteerism and much more.
Through its community benefit fund, Parkview Hospital works with community partners in taking a proactive approach to improving specific health concerns of individuals in Allen County. Areas of focus include:
- Increased access to healthcare
- Research and development
- Disease management
- Health screenings and prevention programs
Every few years, Parkview sponsors a community health survey to identify health needs within northeast Indiana, particularly the five counties in which Parkview hospitals exist. Community health improvement initiatives are chosen, based on this health survey.
Initiatives and programs
Community Nursing Initiative
Believing that the knowledge and skill of dedicated nurses has great benefit outside the hospital walls, Parkview has since 1998, funded a program that places Parkview nurses in strategic positions throughout the community. Funding supports nurses in public schools demonstrating the greatest health needs. Parkview nurses also provide healthcare management expertise at CANI HeadStart and Martin Luther King Montessori preschools, SCAN, Inc. (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect), and the Fort Wayne Women's Bureau Transitions program for women recovering from drug abuse and their children. In addition, Parkview Hospital, Inc. provides two diabetes specialty nurses, an asthma specialty nurse, and a respiratory therapist to improve the health of children in Fort Wayne Community Schools, East Allen County Schools, and Northwest Allen County Schools.
Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography Program
In partnership with Francine’s Friends and the Breast Diagnostic Center, Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center administers a mobile mammography program in Allen County and the surrounding area. This initiative began in December of 2005 and is targeted to increase the number of women age 40 and over that received a mammogram during the past two years. In addition, the program provides financial assistance to those who do not have the means to pay for a mammogram. The 2007 community health assessment revealed a 9% increase in screenings for Allen County.
Colorectal Cancer Screenings
Parkview’s Comprehensive Cancer Center organized a community task force to increase awareness of colorectal cancer screening. This campaign included distribution of take-home blood stool test kits at hospital, physician office and health fair locations in addition to broad based prevention education. During the three-year period of this initiative, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy screenings increased 15 percent for adults age 50 and older in Allen County. Parkview continues to make the test kits available to the community.
Medication Assistance Program
Parkview’s Medication Assistance Program helps low-income patients obtain prescription medications at discharge, and as a part of long-term Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs to meet patients’ health maintenance needs.
Primary Health Care/Access
In addition to providing charity care, Parkview also reaches out to the underinsured, uninsured, and special at-risk populations by providing funding for local clinics and supporting medical transportation programs as follows:
Matthew 25 Health & Dental Clinic and Neighborhood Health Clinic
Parkview Hospital, Inc. provides operational support for Matthew 25 Health and Dental Clinic and donates in-kind laboratory services for their patients. The hospital also provides support for services to the uninsured and underinsured at Neighborhood Health Clinic, including the clinic’s diabetes management program. In addition, the hospital provides funding for medication assistance programs at each of the aforementioned clinics. Parkview Hospital, Inc. also provides in-kind radiographic imaging services for Neighborhood Health Clinic.
Parkview Super Shot Clinic
In addition to cash donations for operational support, Parkview Hospital provides in-kind space, utilities, and building maintenance for the Parkview Super Shot Clinic (children’s immunization clinic) located at Parkview Children's Specialty Clinics in Carew Medical Park. Parkview also provides in-kind vaccines and nursing support for the clinic when needed.
Health Screening and Prevention
Parkview Hospital has a long-term commitment to improving the health of the communities we serve through disease prevention programs and health education. Parkview Hospital, Inc. offers 24-hour telephone counseling through Parkview Behavioral Health for people with alcohol and drug problems, depression or other mental health crisis. In addition, the hospital participates in numerous health fairs throughout the year to provide health education, health screenings for disease prevention, and to promote healthy lifestyles for the underserved population and the community at large.
Trauma Prevention Education
Parkview Hospital is a Level II adult and pediatric trauma center as verified by the American College of Surgeons. It is not only Parkview's responsibility to provide emergency care, but to also conduct public education with the goal of reducing the number of preventable injuries in the community. To help accomplish this, the hospital sponsors a trauma prevention task force that consists of Parkview emergency and trauma staff, other employees, community-based emergency response professionals, and representatives from the community. Some of the programs developed to reduce the number of people who suffer traumatic injury include: Don’t Text & Drive, Don't Drink & Drive, Bike Helmet Safety, teen driving clinics, and infant car seat safety programs.
Don't Drink & Drive is an educational program that warns teenage drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving. Don’t Text & Drive informs teens about the danger of sending and receiving text messages while driving. Parkview Hospital partners with the Allen County Sheriff Reserves to provide education through community speaking events, classroom presentations, billboards and media coverage.
The Bike Helmet Safety program provides free and low-cost helmets to children who do not have the financial resources to afford a helmet. The staff works closely with community groups to distribute the helmets and conducts bicycle rodeos during the summer to emphasize overall bike safety and helmet usage.