Cherry Health Governing Board Members

HIGHLIGHT

Vivian holding her newborn son, Donald.

CHERRY HEALTH | COMMUNITY REPORT 20/21

INTRODUCTION LIFE-CHANGING LIFESTYLE CARE

Vivian Jones’ story is a journey into life, and one that lights a path to health and hope for all of us.

When Vivian came to Cherry Health, she was nearly 300 pounds and dealing with anxiety—she was worried about dying. Through access to comprehensive health care at Cherry Health, Vivian was able to manage her anxiety with proper medication, but that was not all. After seeing a gastrointestinal (GI) tract specialist for digestive discomfort and determining that all was well internally, she switched tracks and saw a nutritionist. With support, she learned to eat healthier, and lost 160 pounds. Once she felt better, Vivian not only felt less anxious and had less stomach pain but was also surprised to experience her dream come true: pregnancy.

After 10 years of marriage and nearly a year working with her Cherry Health team, Vivian became pregnant. With a smile on her face, Vivian recounts telling her family and friends that she was going to have a baby: “Everyone is calling me on the phone like, ‘You’re pregnant?!’ They didn’t believe it, even my husband didn’t believe it. After I found out I was pregnant, everything shut down because of COVID-19.” Vivian tells the story of being nervous to experience her first pregnancy in a pandemic, and how supported she felt by her Cherry Health Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP) team. Her phone appointments were her favorite; she could not believe that every week she received multiple phone calls from her primary nurse, her lactation consultant, and other team members, and that normally these phone appointments would have been in-person home visits. She was soon texting her care team all the time, and they were extremely responsive and supportive. Vivian says she and her family would not be where they are today without Cherry Health, and she is so grateful that Cherry Health team members have played such important roles on her journey to health and motherhood.

CHERRY HEALTH | COMMUNITY REPORT 20/21

GENERAL OVERVIEW SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

Since 1970, when Cherry Health was known as Neighborhood Health Services, we have made it our goal to serve those in the community who would otherwise have a difficult time accessing health care, regardless of their ability to pay. In 2020 alone, Cherry Health facilities served 56,098 patients—9,529 of whom were new—during 461,701 visits. 21% of them were uninsured.

One of our primary aims is to increase access to preventative health care. In implementing prescreening services, and ensuring the underserved and those without insurance have access to the care they need, Cherry Health both helps West Michigan communities stay healthy and live well, and saves the health care system nearly $90 million every year by reducing unnecessary inpatient hospitalizations and emergency room use.

We are a nonprofit, and the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Michigan. Serving six counties, our services include primary care, women’s health, pediatrics, dental, vision, behavioral health, and five school-based health centers. Cherry Health also runs a schoollinked program active in 70 public schools. Here at Cherry Health, we have a sliding fee payment scale, and Medicaid and Healthy Michigan are accepted, as are many other insurance plans.

We serve patients at more than 20 locations throughout Michigan.

Cherry Health facilities served 56,098 patients—9,529 of whom were new—during 461,701 visits.

21% of our patients were uninsured.

HIGHLIGHT

Well-child visits are essential for many reasons, including tracking growth and developmental milestones.