The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) was recently recognized by the Association of California Healthcare Districts as its 2023 Healthcare District of the Year.
Healthcare districts are an essential part of California’s health care system, meeting the needs of communities with provider shortages and high rates of uninsured, low-income, and underserved populations. The state’s 76 healthcare districts, most of which serve rural areas, were created through the vote of local residents. Voters elect public boards that oversee the spending of local tax dollars for the benefit of the community’s health.
The Association of California Healthcare Districts honors one agency annually that has successfully implemented an initiative to improve the health and well-being of its residents. Grossmont Healthcare District was recognized this year for its creation of the East County Rural Health Coalition, a multidisciplinary group of public agencies and nonprofit organizations that recently launched the Rural Health Discharge Pilot Program.
“The vision of the coalition is healthy communities in rural East County, with affordable and timely access to the health and wellness services they need,” says GHD Board President Gloria Chadwick.
The one-year pilot is a collaboration between San Diego County Health and Human Services, San Diego County Fire / CAL FIRE, the Grossmont Healthcare District, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Patients discharged from Sharp Grossmont Hospital who live in rural areas of the district are offered a home visit from a public health nurse and paramedic team who ensure post-discharge safety, and referrals to other services as needed.
“Three months into this pilot, we have already engaged with 51 patients that live in East County’s rural areas,” says GHD’s Chief Executive Officer Christian Wallis. “Ensuring that patients in the most remote parts of the county have access to follow up care, medications, and other support they need makes for a healthier region overall, and we’re proud of the impact we’re having.”
This work in East County’s rural areas is only one of the Grossmont Healthcare District’s many accomplishments during the agency’s past fiscal year. An annual report was recently released, which details several successful community health initiatives including the development of a local healthcare workforce pipeline, health literacy work in East County’s immigrant communities, and the revitalization of GHD’s Health & Wellness Library.
The Grossmont Healthcare District’s comprehensive annual report for FY22-23 is available at: grossmonthealthcare.org/annual-report-fy-2022-2023/.
