Erlanger earns recognition for community outreach programs

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – The national Hospital Charitable Services Awards honored Erlanger recently for two of its outreach programs.

The Sequatchie Valley Health Initiative and the Childhood Healthy Eating and Active Living Center at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger were both recognized by the awards implemented by Jackson Healthcare of Atlanta.

The Sequatchie Valley Health Initiative is one of four hospital programs across the nation to be named as a “Program of Promise” by the Hospital Charitable Services Awards for 2015. Winning programs must demonstrate a clear vision for addressing community needs in innovative ways. As a winner of the award, the initiative received an unrestricted grant of $2,500.

Hospital officials say since Erlanger Health System opened the Sequatchie County Emergency Center in July 2014 and implemented community-based health programs, the overall health of Sequatchie County residents has improved dramatically in Tennessee’s county health rankings.

The Childhood Healthy Eating and Active Living Center at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, known as C-HEAL, was recognized as a finalist in the 2015 Program of Excellence category of the Hospital Charitable Services Awards. Finalists for the award were based on five criteria: impact, collaboration, leading practice, transferability, and innovation.

Erlanger staff say C-HEAL works with families to battle childhood obesity in kids up to age 18. Funded by a grant from the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation, Children’s Hospital opened the clinic in January 2015 as Chattanooga’s first multi-disciplinary obesity center. Under the direction of pediatrician Joani Jack, MD, C-HEAL works closely with each child and family, tailoring plans to meet the specific needs of each child. A registered dietitian and a community health navigator assist Dr. Jack in offering healthy eating and physical activity options to each family.