EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY

When Siloam Health launched our community health worker program in 2014, we knew it was an important step in multiplying the mission of whole-person health. Community health workers (CHWs) are frontline workers who come from within the communities they serve to provide emotional and instrumental support that addresses the underlying determinants of health.

As members of the community, Siloam’s CHWs understand many of the challenges new Nashville neighbors face and build trusted relationships with them to create personalized health plans and help them implement and adapt those plans as needed. Through that process, something beautiful can happen: when one new neighbor learns about adjusting to life in the United States – a new diet, the need for intentional exercise, and navigating social support systems – they can then turn around and do the same for others!

This model of empowering the community with training and tools means that the ripple effects of whole-person health will extend far beyond those we reach directly, and the healthy lives of our new neighbors can lead to the flourishing of a whole new Nashville.