Like Baylor Scott & White Health, more than half of all hospitals in the United States
are not-for-profit, ensuring that all patients receive access to care no matter what kind
of insurance, if any, they carry.
prevention classes in Spanish to an
underserved Hispanic population on
Temple’s east side. Classes held at
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic
Church and the Temple Community
Clinic have been well received by
the community. Participants report
successful reduction in their A1C levels
and appreciate the lifestyle changes
they’ve been able to make as a result
of the lessons learned in the course.
The program has been expanded to
other parts of the region, including
Waco, where classes were held at the
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and
Round Rock, with classes held at the
public library.
Sharing medical expertise through
outreach programs is another way
through which the system improves
community health. McLane Children’s
Hospital works with local schools to
manage pediatric asthma, which, if
untreated, can result in hospitalization.
Asthma educators offer special courses
for children diagnosed with asthma
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THE CATALYST December 15 | sw.org
and their parents. The providers
host education programs for other
physicians and work with school
nurses to better identify signs of an
impending asthma attack, and how
and when to administer medication to
prevent emergency room visits. Since
emphasis on educating patients and
family members has begun, McLane
Children’s has seen a significant
downward trend in the number of
children admitted to the hospital.
Philanthropy’s importance
Not-for-profit hospitals face unique
challenges in this country. Many of
the patients they see are uninsured
or underinsured. Both private and
public insurers, such as Medicare
and Medicaid, continue to reduce
reimbursements. At the same time,
prices for lifesaving drugs and new
technologies are rising.
As the largest health system in
Texas, Baylor Scott & White serves a
rapidly expanding population with the
highest percentage of uninsured in the
country. This presents an even greater
challenge with many more people to
serve as funding gets even tighter.
While the Baylor Scott & White
system is structured to meet the
challenges of delivering quality care
in a new era, one reality remains
constant: “Healthcare is becoming
more expensive,” says Mr. Allison, “and
my concern is that in our mission of
serving everyone we have to find ways
to ensure that all people have access
to care and that it’s affordable.” More
than ever the role of philanthropy is
essential in helping the organization
fulfill its mission.
What is certain is that philanthropy
helps sustain our mission, says Jana
Sharpley, president of the Scott &
White Healthcare Foundation. “We’re
a safety net for many people, from
the underserved to the impoverished.
And there are activities that are
unreimbursed, such as Child Life
programs. So philanthropy dollars are a
necessity in the healthcare environment
now because we can’t do all we need to
with declining revenue dollars.”
Baylor Scott & White Health is
committed to ensuring that all patients
in Texas get the care they need. The
generous support of donors and friends
helps make this happen. n
BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE
HEALTH IS A CHRISTIAN
HEALTH MINISTRY.