Health is more than healthcare. The Confluence Health Foundation funds programs that help keep our communities safe, healthy, and happy, so that they can enjoy the beautiful place we call home for many years to come.
The Confluence Health Foundation supports North Central Washington’s healthcare. Confluence Health has a 12,000-square-mile service area, with clinics in 12 cities throughout Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties. Programs that promote good health in our communities are a priority; they keep patients healthy, medical costs down, and communities thriving.
Highlights:
Adaptive Cycling Events
These events aim to provide community members with physical, cognitive and/or sensory impairments with opportunities to try adaptive bikes in a safe, supported atmosphere. We rely on Outdoors for All to provide a fleet of adaptive bikes for community members to use, and volunteers from Confluence Health’s Rehabilitation Department are available to assist riders.
“Before I Die” Wall
In recognition of National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, Confluence Health Hospice & Palliative Care built a traveling “Before I Die” wall that is periodically on display at Pybus Public Market. This is an interactive public art display originally developed by Candy Chang in New Orleans in 2001. Now there are more than 2,000 walls in 70 countries and 30 languages. The wall is a public forum meant to spark conversations and community connection, which promotes a sense of well-being and hope. The Confluence Health Foundation is proud to have provided the funds to build this traveling wall.
Bike Helmet Distribution
Exercise is essential to good health and well-being, and kids are especially encouraged to solidify healthy physical-activity habits to last a lifetime. Physicians from Okanogan County distributed 100 bike helmets to children in Brewster and Pateros to make sure they stay safe on their bikes, scooters, and skateboards.
Prescription Drug Take-Back Bins
Opioid misuse and addiction is a national crisis that has wreaked havoc in rural communities, including those in North Central Washington. In response, Confluence Health has developed a multidisciplinary Opioid Epidemic Response Team (OERT) comprised of healthcare professionals from behavioral health, pharmacy, primary care, and other specialties. In 2017, the Confluence Health Foundation Board of Trustees approved funding to support the OERT’s drug-takeback bins. These secure receptacles are located throughout the region, and to date more than 800 gallons of prescription medication has been collected.
Vaccine Equity Initiative
Donations were used to promote culturally relevant outreach and education about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The goal of this work was to break down barriers to vaccine uptake and improve vaccination rates within the Hispanic/Latinx communities in North Central Washington, who were disproportionately hard hit by COVID-19.
The Confluence Health Foundation is continually investing in technology and resources to stay on the leading edge of emergency equipment and training operations to provide the best healthcare to our communities that we serve.
Highlights:
Stop the Bleed Training
The Foundation provided funding to the Confluence Health Trauma Department to conduct local training sessions of the evidence-based Stop the Bleed program, which equips members of the public with the skills necessary to prevent loss of life from physical trauma, such as accidents or gunshot wounds.
Emergency Management Equipment
Confluence Health continues to provide significant support to the region’s emergency-response efforts. Foundation funds were used to purchase new emergency radio equipment, ensuring local emergency management personnel can securely and reliably communicate during large-scale natural disasters and other emergencies. Funds were also used to purchase bright red response team member jackets and hats that help others quickly identify key personnel in times of crisis.
Emergency Coordination & Response Software
The Foundation was able to assist the emergency response team in purchasing state-of-the-art software to better coordinate response efforts and improve outcomes when disaster strikes in our community.