Charlotte nonprofit invests in statewide health initiative

SHUTTERSTOCK

The Duke Endowment and North Carolina Healthcare Foundation are collaborating on Bridge to Health, a program for high-risk patients with chronic medical needs.

A new statewide initiative aims to improve the health of people with chronic medical needs.

The Charlotte-based Duke Endowment and North Carolina Healthcare Foundation are collaborating on Bridge to Health, a program for high-risk patients who suffer from substance abuse or mental health conditions rooted in trauma or unmet social needs related to homelessness and poverty. The program, funded by a $9.8 million Duke Endowment gift over four years, takes a proactive approach outside traditional outpatient settings to reduce hospital interaction for avoidable health conditions.

“Our goal is to provide a coordinated approach to individualized care for this patient population to help them meet their unique circumstances and support them in achieving long-term stability,” said Jay Kennedy, senior program officer with The Duke Endowment’s Health Care program area.

The pilot will include a two-phased approach, with the first year focused on planning and building capacity followed by three years of implementation.

Duke will support six health systems in a pilot program that builds on collective experience and best practices developed by a model built by WakeMed’s Center for Community Health doctors Brian Klausner and Theresa Amerson. The multiyear investment includes $7.9 million across the six sites, including $1.4 million to WakeMed as cohort leader and key advisor and $6.5 million to the five additional health systems to plan and implement the model over four years. The award also includes a $1.9 million investment in technical assistance and evaluation provided by the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation and the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy. 

The participating health systems are WakeMed Health, Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Cone Health, ECU Health and UNC Health. The companies will start and expand hospital-based clinics that stabilize high-risk pacute medical, mental health, and social needs and collaborate with primary care providers and community-based organizations that continue their care.  

“This is an exciting opportunity to ensure high-quality health care is accessible to patients across our state who need it most,” said Emily Roland, executive director of Program Implementation for NCHF. “We are looking forward to the success of this pilot and the participation of six North Carolina health systems.”

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