Park Nicollet Foundation

Programs: Park nicollet foundation's mission is partnering to build healthy lives - partnering both within park nicollet health services and throughout the communities served by pnhs. Within pnhs, the foundation supports numerous programs and services that further healthcare research and innovation and enhance the patient and family experience. Throughout the community, the foundation achieves its mission by bringing together divergent groups and interests to jointly identify compelling community health needs and implement meaningful programs and services in response to those needs. Partners of park nicollet foundation include municipalities, school districts, faith communities, businesses, nonprofit service organizations, local clinics and neighborhood associations. Children, families, seniors and immigrants throughout minneapolis and its western suburbs benefit from programs supported by park nicollet foundation. These programs address a wide variety of needs, including grief counseling; mental, dental and physical health care; health education; and access to food and for low-income members of the community. In 2014, the park nicollet foundation distributed nearly $4. 5 million to support 182 unique programs of it internal and community partners. Just a few of the many programs the foundation was able to support were: *no-charge health and dental care to over 4,000 children at our four community clinics *free prescriptions for low-income patients in need of medication *health promotion initiatives for east african immigrants to reduce healthcare disparities *outreach home visits and services by firefighters to recently- discharged at risk seniors *grief support and education to hundreds of students in 13 different school districts who have lost a loved one *low and no-cost mental health services for youth *healthy food initiatives in elementary schools *research in diabetes, oncology, and parkinson's disease *patient-centered healthcare enhancements, such as massage therapy for hospice patients, movement classes for parkinson's patients, perinatal loss support groups and diabetes educational materials *purchase of necessary equipment for a new, innovative sports concussion initative *enhanced access for children needing immunizations in order to enroll in school in 2012, park nicollet foundation, in collaboration with park nicollet health services, completed a community health needs assessment to help the foundation remain focused on the community's greatest health needs. Input from more than 1,000 community leaders and citizens identified issues related to seniors, mental health, and culturally-sensitive care as high priorities. In 2014, the foundation continued to address these concerns through targeted grants, food, housing and transportation for low-income seniors; mental health services in area schools; and outreach to immigrant communities. In 2015, the foundation will be updating the chna to ensure its efforts continue to have a significant impact on the communities it serves.