Samaritan Health Services recently released its annual Community Health Impact Report, which details the organization’s investments in various activities. These activities range from charity care to community building to health research. Last year alone, Samaritan reported investing over $178 million in financial and in-kind support for community health activities in Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties.
According to Samaritan’s chief executive officer Doug Boysen, the organization is nonprofit and mission-driven. While they provide care to patients in hospitals and clinics, they also recognize the importance of supporting community-based efforts to help keep people healthy. This commitment led Samaritan to invest in various initiatives aimed at improving the overall well-being of the community.
In the report, Samaritan lists three priority areas that guide their investments. These include increasing access to medical, dental, and mental health/behavioral health services; increasing access to healthy and nutritious food, child care, and safety; and increasing access to housing, employment, and supportive services. By focusing on these critical areas, Samaritan aims to make a positive impact on community health.
The report highlights three agencies that receive program funding from Samaritan. These agencies include Project Healthy Smile, offered by the Boys and Girls Club of Albany and Practical Dental Assisting of Oregon; Stand By Me – Oregon, offered by Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments and Casa Latinos Unidos; and Guatemalan and Latinx community cooking classes and farmers market tours, offered by Food Share of Lincoln County and Oregon State University Extension Service in Lincoln County.
For those interested in reading the full report, it is available online. Printed copies can also be requested by emailing mkerlin@samhealth.org. This annual report serves as a testament to Samaritan Health Services’ ongoing commitment to improving community health through strategic investments and partnerships.