Introduction: Life-Changing Lifestyle Care

HIGHLIGHT

Tasha Blackmon, President and CEO of Cherry Health. Photo by Mia Jankowiak

CHERRY HEALTH | COMMUNITY REPORT 20/21

CEO LETTER EXPANDING ACCESS

In March 2020, our world was forever changed. Together, we set off on a challenging path that we are still traversing over a year later.

Looking back at all that we have accomplished, as well as ahead to challenges and opportunities that await us, I am inspired by the resilience, tenacity, and compassion of our teams at Cherry Health. I am humbled by the many individuals and organizations in our community who have stepped up to support their neighbors. My hope is that we will leverage the coordinated response witnessed throughout the pandemic to create a more fair and inclusive community for all. In the last year, Cherry Health expanded access to health care in new and exciting ways. We rapidly deployed telemedicine where no system had existed before, completing over 170,000 virtual visits and counting. Blood pressure cuffs were sent directly to the homes of hypertensive patients, so they did not have to choose between health and safety. Curbside pharmacy pickup was established so patients could collect their prescriptions with minimal risk. Our COVID-19 testing efforts were among our largest undertakings. Since the epidemic’s onset, we have administered over 14,000 COVID-19 tests and are excited to be providing drive-through COVID-10 vaccinations to eligible individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the disparities many under-resourced individuals face in having their basic needs met. Health centers like Cherry Health ensure barrier-free access to comprehensive healthcare regardless of an individual’s insurance status or ability to pay. Over the next few years, our team will be laser focused on moving the needle in three distinct areas: Chronic disease management with a focus on diabetes treatment and prevention; Behavioral Health through the implementation of the collaborative care model to further integrate mental health into primary care while reducing stigma; and supporting women, infants, and children from the family planning stage to adverse childhood experiences, providing kids in adolescence with the support they need to heal physically and mentally. When the world changed, it changed in a way that brought the work of Federally Qualified Health Centers like Cherry Health to the forefront of the national conversation. As COVID-19 caused early devastation to communities of color and those with certain chronic conditions, it threw into relief the critical work of providing comprehensive healthcare to economically and racially diverse populations. We are proud to have served our community for over 30 years. The past year has seen us adjust, innovate, and evolve so we can continue to serve our patients with quality health care. Thank you for walking alongside us then, now, and always.