Portland, OR. Five major health care providers are continuing their support of Project Access NOW (PANOW ), Project Access NOW clients are largely low-income, non-native English speaking, and identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Since 2007, regional health systems including Adventist Health, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, Oregon Health and Science University, and Providence Health & Services have invested more than $35 million to support health-promoting services for the un-and-underinsured even through the pandemic. The nonprofit’s mission is connecting low-income uninsured people to donated healthcare services, its focus has expanded to include innovative initiatives and partnerships that go beyond simple healthcare to also address the social determinants of health.
PANOW holds regular vaccine clinics, especially serving those historically underserved by health care in Oregon. A recent vaccination clinic hosted by Project Access NOW took place at Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Senior Center.
Over the next three years, partners have pledged to contribute a total of $7.85 million, increasing their annual investment by over 55%. In a post-pandemic time requiring greater access to care needs, this targeted investment will support navigation for over 4,500 individuals between the region’s primary care homes and hospital systems, help 24,000 individuals enroll in Medicaid or another qualified health plan, and offset the cost of health insurance premiums for more than 1,000 Oregonians unable to afford their monthly expenses. In addition, these resources will leverage the organization’s outreach team, the majority of whom are bi-lingual and/or from immigrant communities, building on their trusted networks to address vaccine hesitancy and promote COVID-19 vaccination rates within the region’s culturally specific communities.
Project Access NOW is a Portland, Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization known for its collaborative and equitable approach to community-wide health improvement efforts, as well as its longevity. Since 2007, the organization has provided a one-of-a-kind space for cross-system collaboration. Major health care providers in Oregon have supported the organization throughout that time to promote work and positive impact in alignment with their Community Health Needs Assessments.
In more recent years, Project Access NOW has pivoted to support urgent and emerging community needs such as heightened enrollment during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act and partnering with regional public health to administer over $1 million CARES Act and Oregon Wildfire relief dollars. Carly Hood-Ronick, Executive Director of Project Access NOW, says: “We know the health care environment is changing, with legislation like Cover All People. We are committed to continuing to partner with our regional health systems to evolve and ensure all have access to the resources needed to achieve their best health.”
Jennie Leslie, MD, Board Chair says, “After having served on the Board of Project Access NOW for years, I see now more than ever that PANOW is the glue that holds our broken medical system together. With a new leadership team and strategic plan, we refresh our focus on our core mission: to provide a common space for our region’s health systems to work collaboratively towards quality healthcare for all.”
“We are proud to steward this historic investment in Oregon’s health care system,” says Hood-Ronick. “Over the past 14 years, Project Access NOW has provided access to health care, health insurance, and social resources for more than 60,000 Oregonians, most of whom come from our BIPOC communities. We are committed to promoting equity and to helping individuals better access Oregon’s health services – whether through individual needs or as advocates for systems-change alongside our partners.”
From Project Access NOW:
We partner with care providers, hospitals, clinics, and other community-based organizations to address the health care system’s limitations.
Our solutions work to connect the most vulnerable in our community to the care and services they need, helping them get healthy and stay that way.
Our Strategies
Connect low-income, uninsured clients to the donated primary and specialty care they need.
Pay health insurance premiums for people who qualify for coverage under the Affordable Care Act but can’t afford the expenses necessary to access their care.
Connect low-income people being discharged from the hospital to resources such as transportation, car seats, and temporary housing to help them get home safely and more easily access follow-up care.
Our strategies have a proven track record of success, as evidenced by the expanding list of partners and stakeholders who see the positive effects of our initiatives and value our contribution to community health.
Our Values: We share a collective responsibility as we strive to make each day and each action count in service of our mission through the following values:
Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity: We honor the fundamental value and dignity of all who we work with and serve. We strive to create an environment that respects and includes diverse perspectives, traditions and experiences. We commit to furthering equity throughout our organization.
Celebration: Our success depends on the contributions of each team member. We honor and care for one another as a community and celebrate our individual and collective accomplishments.
Flexibility and Resilience: We are adaptive and resilient as we encounter changing circumstances. We seek and embrace new ideas with enthusiasm and draw on the strength of our diversity for solutions that are enterprising and dynamic.
Transparency in Leadership: We listen with intention to understand, providing timely and open communication about organizational decisions. We strive to build an inclusive organization in which leadership actively seeks staff engagement and input.
Creativity and Innovation: As a growing organization, we nurture an environment where creativity, persistence, risk-taking, patience, caring, and the desire to contribute are encouraged and embraced.
Portland, OR. Nearly 2,000 people filled New Hope Church in Happy Valley, Oregon, on November 23rd. The community came together for a free concert supporting local community aid organizations. Adventist Health Portland presented its annual Celebration of Thanksgiving concert as an expression of gratitude for the community’s faith and support. Adventist Health Portland includes Adventist Health Portland Medical Center in southeast Portland, a nonprofit, 302-bed acute care facility, offering a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency services throughout the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. Clinically integrated with OHSU, Adventist Health Medical Group represents more than 100 primary care and specialty physicians who treat and admit their patients to Adventist Medical Center. Pictured above are people sorting out the generous food donations.
Dr. Terry Johnsson
Matt Maher performs for the crowd
The event opened with performances by a praise band made up of Adventist Health employees, including Joyce Newmyer, Adventist Health Pacific Northwest Region president. Headliner and contemporary Christian artist Matt Maher took the stage, Maher has written and produced nine solo albums and penned many well-known praise and worship songs.
People enjoying the concert
Joyce Newmyer, president of Adventist Health, shares a message of thanks with guests at the 11th annual Celebration of Thanksgiving concert.
Collecting socks for Portland Rescue Mission
Young folks donating food
This year’s guests contributed 1,900 pounds of food for Portland Adventist Community Services (PACS) and more than 3,000 pairs of socks for the Portland Rescue Mission in place of admission for the concert. The celebration of Thanksgiving has raised more than 12 tons of nonperishable food donations since its inception in 2009. More than 10,000 pairs of socks have been donated since this emphasis was added in 2016. Previous performers include Phillips, Craig and Dean; Point of Grace; Rebecca St. James; Selah; and Sandi Patty.
From Adventist Health:
Adventist Health services in Portland are part of Adventist Health a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 75 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii. Our compassionate and talented team of 33,300 includes more than 24,600 employees; 5,000 medical staff physicians; and 3,700 volunteers working together in pursuit of one mission: living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in 19 hospitals, more than 280 clinics (hospital-based, rural health and physician clinics), 13 home care agencies, seven hospice agencies, and four joint-venture retirement centers.
From The Portland Rescue Mission:
The Portland Rescue Mission has had a tireless commitment to breaking the cycle of homelessness, addiction and despair in the lives of hurting people in need. We offer emergency services of food and shelter at our original downtown location at the Burnside Shelter. And we’ve expanded those services to include 24/7 restrooms, showers, clothing, mail service, referrals and community activities in the Guest Care Center.Thanks to generous community support, we’ve expanded our ministry to include a wide range of programs designed to meet a hurting person at their point of need and help them toward their journey home. This includes our 3-month Connect program for men and women, and our New Life Ministries for men and women at The Harbor and Shepherd’s Door, respectively. Portland Rescue Mission also includes our Drive Away Hunger car sales and donations program and Mission Bar-B-Que catering. Proceeds support all of our programs to give hope and restore life to hurting people.
Portland, September 16th. Nearly 25,000 runners and walkers took to the streets of downtown Portland for the 21st Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Devon Downeysmith, Marketing & Communications Manager, Thomas Bruner, Chief Executive Officer of Portland and SW Washington Susan G. Komen and Toni Mountain, Survivor Programs Manager
The Komen Race for the Cure raises significant funds and awareness for the breast cancer movement. Every week 61 women in Oregon and Southwest Washington are diagnose with breast cancer, and sadly eleven women die. The Race for the Cure is a time to celebrate survivors and their families while raising money and working toward the promise of ending breast cancer. Enjoy this collection of the images from the event!
There are five different races: Timed 5k, Timed 8k, 1-mile walk, Untimed 5k run, and 5k Walk
The race brought traffic to a standstill on several downtown streets, but police try to keep motorists happy by advanced warnings and detours.
Family and friends formed, “The Chest Nuts”
Finish Line Volunteer Dee Madden gets a hug.
Some Local pageant winners off their support.
Survivors enjoy the support of their families.
Komen CEO, Thomas Bruner was pleased with the turnout. He expected the number of participants to be down about 17% from last year – likely due to the national controversy over the group’s decision to cut off, then restore funds for Planned Parenthood including breast cancer screenings. The Portland event raised an estimated $2.5 million in cash and in-kind services, short of the $3 million fundraising goal. Still, Portland’s dip was not as dramatic as many other cities including San Francisco and New York where participation was down 25%. Now it’s upward and onward for the Portland Komen Race for the Cure!
Michelle Price and Jackie were two of the hundreds of survivors inspired by the Race for the Cure!
It’s a family affair for many.
Part of the fun is getting dressed up.
Four legged friends feel the love.
It’s a chance to get creative!
No wigs are too big or too pink!
Survivors have a special finish line
The race requires hundreds of volunteers including this group of mothers and daughters from the National Charity League
NCL Portland Chapter volunteers, Marti Jacobsen and Martha Nielsen
Waterfront Park comes alive for a cause!
Survivors receive VIP treatment!
Touching the finish line banner is a tradition for many.
The Race for the Cure in Eugene will take place October 21st. Here’s a link to find out more: http://www.komenoregon.org/
From Komen: The effectiveness of Komen Oregon’s mission is entirely dependent on our network of sponsors and volunteers. Money raised by Race participants helps expand access to lifesaving screening and treatment while providing funding for cutting-edge breast cancer research.
For the past twenty years, Komen Oregon has provided tens of thousands of low-income women access to critical breast cancer screening and treatment. Our 360-degree approach is making a difference, with breast cancer mortality rates down and five-year survival rates up.
We support survivors by removing barriers to lifesaving care while also investing in cutting-edge research. Every major advance in global breast cancer research in the last quarter century has been touched by Komen for the Cure dollars.
Race for the Cure Local Sponsors:
CRYSTAL SPONSORS: Legacy Health Macy’s
Stash Tea
The Old Spaghetti Factory
The UPS Store – Greater Portland Locations
Wells Fargo
PATRON SPONSORS:
KPMG LLP
Metro West Ambulance
New Balance Portland
Shari’s Restaurants
Pacific Power
IN THE PINK SPONSORS
Honey Bucket
PrintGraphics
Adventist Health
Standard TV & Appliance
The Jay and Diane Zidell Charitable Foundation
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