Community Benefit Initiatives
Augusta Health's community benefit initiatives exist to create systemic change in the health of our community by addressing the thirteen areas of greatest need.
Featured Initiatives
AMI Farm at Augusta Health
Augusta Health has partnered with Allegheny Mountain Institute to develop a sustainable production farm and demonstration garden located on Augusta Health's campus. The purpose of the farm is threefold:
- to provide locally grown produce for use by Sodexo in our food system, to be served to our patients, employees and visitors;
- to create a nutrition education hub for the community to teach sustainable agriculture practices; and
- to offer nutrient dense food solutions to community members with low food access.
Food Farmacy
Food Farmacy is a physician referral, prescription produce program for patients with specific chronic disease diagnosis that is coordinated in partnership with the AMI Farm at Augusta Health. Through the program, participants receive nutrition education, take part in a cooking demonstration, and receive free take-home produce.
Homeless Healthcare Connection
Homeless Healthcare Connection provides access to preventative health care services to people experiencing homelessness. Through health screenings, education, vaccinations, and resource referrals, participants are able to access community health care resources and learn new lifestyle practices that encourage wellness. Program partners include Augusta Regional Clinic, Department of Social Services, Valley Community Services Board, Virginia Department, Valley Mission and Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry (WARM).
Get Fresh
Get Fresh is a partnership with Waynesboro Public Schools, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Project Grows, and Virginia Cooperative Extension. The program is designed to prevent type 2 diabetes among children and includes classroom nutrition education, fresh food tastings, farm field trips, and afterschool nutrition programming for the entire family.
Walk to School Week
Walk to School Week is done in partnership with local schools and other community organizations. Partially grant-funded by Safe Routes to School, the initiative promotes physical activity among elementary and middle school students, as well as teaches students pedestrian safety.
Medical Fitness Programming
Augusta Health Fitness programs are provided at free or reduced cost to address the needs of specific populations identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment, including Fitness Rx, Cancer Rx, and Silver Sneakers.
Diabetes Prevention Program
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is an evidence-based lifestyle change program which has been demonstrated to delay or prevent the development of Type 2 Diabetes among people at high risk. Group classes are held in community locations for a 16-week duration.
Diabetes Education Event
A diabetes education event is held annually to provide updated information on the management of diabetes to community members. The event includes a panel of speakers from various diabetes treatment professions and blood glucose screenings.
Home Health Telehealth
Home Health Telehealth provides in-home devices that function as an educational tool and liaison with health professionals regarding doctor's orders, medications, and vital signs.
Faith Community Nursing
Faith Community Nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that focuses on the intentional care of the spirit as well as the promotion of whole-person health and the prevention or minimization of illness through screenings and health education events, and by referring to appropriate health care resources.
Screening Events and Speakers Bureau
Annual screening events held at Augusta Health include an annual cancer screening and the Heart Health Fair. As needed, provisions of screenings or health experts who provide information on health topics to community groups are available. Request a screening or request a speaker for your event.
Caring for You and Living Healthy
Bimonthly health education articles in the Staunton News Leader and Waynesboro News Virginian. Chronic diseases and health education needs identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment are emphasized.
Support Groups
Chronic disease specific support groups address the needs of chronic diseases identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment. Ongoing support groups include Diabetes Support Group, Friends Listening to Friends(Cancer Patients), Continuing Survivor (cancer patients who have completed treatment), Diversions (ostomy patients), Parkinson's Disease, and the Stroke Club.
Youth Programs
An established roster of programs to engage youth in health careers at Augusta Health such as the Teen Volunteers and Mentorship programs (coordinated through the school districts).
Medical Home Clinic
The Medical Home is a clinic that takes a proactive approach to care for highly complex patients (those with multiple chronic conditions) who have no insurance. The approach is evidence-based and includes weekly clinical care conferences, outcomes bundles, wellness initiates, and a team approach that includes the patient.
Bridge Fund
The Bridge Fund provides financial support to 'bridge' the gap and pay expenses not covered by insurance. Assistance is available for cancer patients in the Augusta Health Cancer Program.
Cancer Program Navigators
Healthcare professionals provided without charge to cancer patients. Navigators help guide the patient and families through the entire course of treatment from diagnosis to recovery, coordinating care and connecting patients to the resources they need.