In a 2017 report entitled “Strategic Partnerships for Tomorrow’s Health Care,” Sg2 highlights numerous case studies where health systems have engaged in nontraditional partnerships to achieve objectives – including fostering growth and improving performance. In particular, the formation of new community partnerships have helped steer patients to appropriate services, avoid unnecessary Emergency Department (ED) visits, and address the social determinants of health. Conceived and designed with these goals in mind, the Golisano Center for Community Health at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NFMMC) is improving access to care through the formation of strategic community partnerships.
The Golisano Center for Community Health offers integrated care to adults and children, including developmentally and intellectually disabled and other at-risk individuals, aimed at preventing the local population from “slipping through the cracks” of the healthcare system. Using several guiding principles, the design strategies and operational solutions aim to improve the health and wellness of the community through preventative care and social support.