You know Valley’s hospital and clinics, but did you know that we have a robust community outreach program? Led by Kawai Kaneali’i, MSN, RN (learn how to pronounce), Valley’s Community Health & Wellness Advocate, and supported by staff volunteers from departments throughout Valley Medical Center, the Outreach team coordinates programs and participates in events that promote the health and well-being of our community.
“These outreach events are valuable for so many reasons. They allow us to truly connect with the communities around us and meet people where they’re at. These events make it easier for people to access care and learn more about their health; help us better understand what our diverse populations need; and help to build trust as we continue to show up for our community. This allows us to do more than just say we care, it allows us to prove it,” Kawai says.
One big initiative for the team is health screenings. In 2023 the outreach team performed more than 600 blood sugar and blood pressure screenings across five community health and wellness fairs.
Kawai notes, “As a community hospital, we have a duty to care for the health and well-being of every person in our hospital district, not just those that can make it through our doors, so these outreach events are crucial in helping us make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”
In addition to the screening events, 2023 outreach initiatives included:
- Hosted or attended more than 30 community events.
- 300+ bicycle helmets were distributed to families in need, and safety fittings performed at 2 bicycle safety events.
- 4 blood drives hosted on Valley’s campus in partnership with Bloodworks NW. 85 donors scheduled, including 14 first-time donors! These donors gave 69 units of blood, impacting 138 patients.
- Presented 2 community webinars on preventive health in primary care and stroke care.
- Collected hundreds of school supplies for local students, and dozens of toys and other gifts for local families during 2 collection drives.
- Partnerships formed and strengthened with more than 30 local community organizations to continue to find better ways to support and represent our underserved communities.
“It is an honor to do this work and have the opportunity to engage with so many incredible individuals and groups, and I look forward to seeing our efforts continue to expand and grow alongside our remarkable community,” says Kawai.
