Parkridge Health launches expansive partnership to address social determinants of health in orchard knob community.
The Orchard Knob Neighborhood Association, Habitat for Humanity and United Way join Parkridge Health to form The Orchard Knob Collaborative; start with renovating five area homes.
Parkridge Health System has teamed up with the Orchard Knob Neighborhood Association, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area and United Way of Greater Chattanooga for an expansive partnership to address poor living conditions that correlate with chronic illness. Catalyzed by a $40,000 initial investment by Parkridge Health and its parent company, HCA Healthcare, The Orchard Knob Collaborative will orchestrate a phased approach to address social determinants of health, beginning with the assessment and renovation or repair of five Orchard Knob homes.
"The Orchard Knob Collaborative represents the heart of our mission as both a healthcare provider and a good neighbor," said Tom Ozburn, president and CEO of Parkridge Health. "This partnership is the realization of our mission to care for and improve human life. While Parkridge is recognized for providing top-quality healthcare, we seek to expand the scope of our services beyond traditional medical practice and address social determinants of health, such as poor living conditions, to prevent unnecessary hospitalization and/or readmission."
Parkridge Health has volunteered its workforce for the initial five home renovations and repairs, which will be supervised by Habitat for Humanity.
Joining Parkridge in the effort to enhance the health and wellbeing of the community we serve are CHI Memorial Hospital and University Surgical Associates. Both organizations, which are also located in the Orchard Knob Neighborhood, have made significant contributions to the initiative.
"This is a time for the community to be thankful for what we are doing during the giving season by finding ways to make Chattanooga a healthier city, said David Butler, CEO and president of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. We will begin this project by making home repairs that could make a difference by reducing a utility bill or keep older homeowners in their homes longer versus an assisted living facility because they are unable to do the repairs themselves."
Dominique Brandt, vice president of community impact for United Way of Greater Chattanooga; David Butler, CEO and president of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga; and Tom Ozburn, president and CEO of Parkridge Health announce The Orchard Knob Collaborative at the Parkridge Fall Festival.
"Health and stability starts in the home and true impact begins at the neighborhood level," said Dominique Brandt, vice president of community impact for United Way of Greater Chattanooga. "This partnership shows how powerful it is when we simply take the time to engage with our neighbors, and listen to their problems -- that's when we'll find the fastest and most transformative solutions to our biggest issues. We hope that this is an example of the amazing opportunities that can take shape when the social sector, business sector and local neighborhoods work together to create real solutions for the root issues in community."
Ozburn, Butler and Brandt announced The Orchard Knob Collaborative on Saturday, November 16, at the first annual neighborhood Fall Festival hosted by Parkridge Medical Center.
"Without the support of our fellow neighborhood organizations, we would not be able to make our community safer, cleaner and healthier," Ozburn said. "By working in solidarity with each other, we can demonstrate how community stewardship can help a community thrive."