CCHS Population Health Team win Heroes award

DAYTON - The health system in Columbia County is tackling a growing challenge with a blend of innovation and compassion. With 28.6% of the county's residents aged 65 or older-a figure expected to rise to 32% by 2030-the Columbia County Health System prioritizes the needs of the county's aging population. To address healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes, the critical access hospital district launched the multi-disciplinary Population Health Team.

"Our community's aging presents challenges for us related to access to care, specialty services, chronic disease management, and social determinants of health," said Dawn Meicher, ARNP and Population Health Provider Champion. "In response, we have enacted an innovative Population Health Team that is multi-disciplinary and consistently thinks 'outside the healthcare box' to provide holistic care."

The dedicated team is comprised of registered nurses, community health workers, a social worker, and an advanced registered nurse practitioner. Members collaborate closely with various departments within the health system, including the CCHS clinics, emergency, wound clinic, physical therapy, local agencies, non-profits, and specialists.

"Population health is about taking care of the whole person," said Melissa Peterson, RN, Rural Health Clinics Manager. "It's not just the care that happens in the provider's office; it is the 'in-between care.' This 'in-between care' is what our team tirelessly provides day in and day out to our most complex patients and is tailored to what our community needs."

Supported by CCHS executive leadership, the team meets weekly to discuss challenges ranging from resource limitations to staffing issues. Community Health Worker Melanie Gagnon described the meetings as "vital to case management but also serve as therapy for the team because of all the difficult things we see in our community."

The team goes above and beyond by supporting patients in their health journeys as well as dealing with homelessness, life changes, and end-of-life care.

"We get in some pretty sketchy scenarios and there's safety in our team. There's no doubt that we're all for one and one for all," said Paul Ihle, MSW-Community Health Worker and Social Worker.

Team members embody compassion and empathy. Navigating these strengths requires balance.

"They support each other in very difficult situations and barriers in which they find patients. They celebrate the wins and support in the grief at the end of a patient's life whom they have come to know so closely," said Meicher.

The CCHS was pleased to announce the Population Health Team was recognized by the Washington State Department of Health as the 2024 Rural Health Heroes in the team category.

Learn more about our inspiring winners and their remarkable stories in the 2024 Heroes Spotlight: https://tinyurl.com/mvz82bay.