Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center - Wyoming 2-1-1

In 2007, Cheyenne Regional lent its name, planning/advocacy staff, and financial resources to partner with United Way of Laramie County and the Laramie County Community Partnership to develop and launch the 2-1-1 call system in seven southeastern counties of Wyoming. Today, from any phone anywhere in Wyoming, dialing 2-1-1 offers access to a full range of non-emergency community, social, health, human, legal, disaster and government services in communities across Wyoming. Who is it for? Anyone in the state who needs help; almost all callers are low-income individuals seeking crisis services. Why do they do it? Thousands of Wyoming families and individuals search every day for emergency financial assistance, food, shelter, support groups or community services. Looking for help can be daunting and discouraging. Impact More than 3,000 referrals were made in 2012 by Wyoming 2-1-1. In November 2012, the system expanded its hours for in-person assistance. The Community Resource Database has grown to include 872 services. Contact: Phyllis Sherard, PhD Director, Wyoming Institute of Population Health Telephone: (307) 633-2914 E-mail: phyllis.sherard@crmcwy.org

Community Connections is an initiative of the AHA to support and highlight the work hospitals do every day in America.

Hospitals are working not just to mend bodies, but also to make their patients and communities healthier. This work extends far beyond the hospital building – bringing free clinics, job training, smoking-cessation classes, back-to-school immunizations, literacy programs and so many other resources, often with little fanfare, directly to the people of the community.

As the national advocate for hospitals, the AHA has consistently supported our members as they develop fair and compassionate policies to help improve access to care for the uninsured, as they work to expand wellness and prevention activities and as they routinely demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and addressing the unmet needs of their patients and communities.

Hospital members are encouraged to submit their stories today.