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L-R: Kyli Gough Community Engagement Director, Rebecca Wildman Business Plus, Theresa McLoed System Administrator Community Health & Engagement, Price and Makenzie Searle Community Health Coordinator, Jody Tremblay Retired Magic Valley Director Community Engagement, Dawn Soto Executive Director of St. Luke's Magic Valley Health Foundation, and Kelly Franson Public Relations Manager Magic Valley

St. Luke’s Magic Valley and others address regional health disparities with the new Center for Community Health

It’s an idea that has been years in the making. St. Luke’s Magic Valley conducted a Healthy Conditions Assessment (HCA) for Twin Falls in 2018-2019. The study aimed to understand health disparities, identify community challenges, and propose solutions. The HCA identified several, overarching health-disparity issues affecting vulnerable groups such as ethnic minorities, low-income or unemployed individuals and the uninsured. It also highlighted problems like lack of transportation, living below the poverty line, housing affordability and deteriorating families.

“Currently, there is a lack of a central hub to provide comprehensive services and referrals,” said Kyli Gough, St. Luke’s Community Engagement Director “Without this service, individuals with critical health needs may remain untreated or underserved.”

Based on the HCA findings, a consortium was formed to address health disparities and promote equity in the community through the Center for Community Health (CCH).

The consortium consists of eight community partners, St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, the College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls County, City of Twin Falls, Twin Falls School District, South Central Public Health, Strategic Financial Group, and Family Health Services.

“Bringing together these organizations was crucial to realizing the vision for The Center for Community Health,” said Gough. “This was a long-term, joint effort between a diverse group that brought us to where we’re at today.”

A critical barrier to addressing health disparities is access to resources that help underserved groups navigate the system. The CCH will offer free, non-clinical care navigation services to residents of Twin Falls County and the broader Magic Valley working to address service gaps and improve the health and well-being of individuals. These will include social services assistance, health insurance guidance, financial counseling, and educational seminars. The goal is to enhance overall quality of life by ensuring individuals have the necessary support and resources. It will maintain a resource clearinghouse and track service gaps to identify long-term solutions for health barriers in the community.

The CCH program aims to be operational and serving clients in Twin Falls County by fall 2024. The plan is to have a fully staffed team within the next 12 months by hiring 3 Community Health Workers. The center will collect and analyze data to understand the causes of healthcare disparities in the county. The CCH model promotes inclusivity by creating a network of advocates for clients with diverse backgrounds. By addressing disparities, CCH strives to create a more just and equitable healthcare system for the future.

Center for Community Health Partners

L-R: Kyli Gough Community Engagement Director St. Luke's, Aaron Houston CEO Family Health Services, Melody Bowyer Director South Central Public Health District, Arlen Blaylock COO/CNO St. Luke’s, Mandi Thompson Assistant to the City Manager City of Twin Falls, Mike Fenello Vice President Population Health St. Luke’s, Eva Craner Public Relations Director Twin Falls School District, Brady Dickinson Superintendent Twin Falls School District, Jody Tremblay Retired Community Relations Director St. Luke’s, Don Hall Commissioner Twin Falls County, Chris Bragg Dean of Institutional Effectiveness College of Southern Idaho, Pam Lowder Director of Operations Family Health Services, Dave Snelson Strategic Financial Group, and Jana Kemp Jana Kemp Consulting

"Business Plus offers a dynamic platform where business leaders converge, fostering innovation, strategic partnerships, and resource sharing to address industry challenges head-on. At St. Luke's our mission is to improve the health of people in the communities we serve. By harnessing the collective expertise and resources of diverse businesses, Business Plus helps us drive home our mission by supporting economic growth to support a thriving community. Together we can forge new partnerships and foster a culture of health and prosperity for all."

Kyli Gough

Community Engagement Director

St. Luke's Magic Valley

and 2024 Business Plus Board Member

Over the past 30 years Business Plus has joined like-minded business leaders together to grow our economy. Our mission is to ensure that we all play a role in Southern Idaho’s economic growth, business investment, talent recruitment and training.

If you’d like to learn more about Business Plus or become an investor, please contact us at www.businessplusinc.org, email rebecca@businessplusinc.org or call Rebecca Wildman at 208-539-6470