Our commitment... our passion... our investment… our community.
The foundation of MidState Medical Center’s culture is excellence, a high standard of quality that permeates every facet of our organization. Each year MidState makes significant investments of time and talent in the communities we serve to ensure that we maintain that level of distinction in two critical areas: by providing excellence in care and caring. To meet these standards, we offer access to outstanding medical care, advanced technology, well-trained physicians, and a comfortable environment that fosters health and wellness. Last year was no exception to our usual efforts. While it is impossible to recount every meaningful interaction that MidState has had with the community, rest assured that it holds a continual commitment to the towns of Meriden, Wallingford, Cheshire, Southington and beyond.
Education is key for community wellness
In 2007, it is estimated that MidState reached approximately 10,000 individuals via its health fairs, screenings, programs, lectures, classes, and other regularly scheduled programming. MidState is extremely fortunate to have many physicians, nurses and staff members who exhibit a strong willingness to educate the community regarding its public and private health, wellness and safety. These individuals frequently speak on request and at no charge to various community groups, including faith communities, local businesses, and special interest organizations. Special programming and support is devoted to the areas of cancer care, cardiac care and family birthing.
Joining forces to make a difference
MidState’s eagerness to promote community outreach is mirrored in its partnerships with several community service organizations that strive to improve the quality of life of our area residents. MidState has been an ongoing partner in the Healthy Community initiatives in Meriden, Wallingford, and Southington. The hospital’s involvement with government agencies, faith communities, senior centers, libraries, businesses, and local YMCAs has bolstered a genuine desire to enhance overall health and well-being. Together, issues such as multicultural wellness, elderly needs, healthy lifestyles, public safety, access to healthcare, adolescent wellness, and addiction prevention have been addressed.
MidState also boasts a great alliance with the education sector of our community through its school-business partnership with Meriden’s John Barry Elementary School. Since 1995, hospital departments have “adopted” classrooms, donated books, participated in Read Aloud Day, and attended health fairs to enrich the lives of our city’s youth.
Other endeavors include the opportunity for area students to volunteer and job shadow in interested fields of work, take tours of the facility to learn about healthcare, and obtain a first-hand experience of the “MidState environment,” one that values respect, caring and teamwork. Last year 200 students from Thomas Edison Middle School toured the hospital and 13 students in Wilcox Technical School’s Sophomore Health Technology Class were inspired to pursue healthcare careers from their work as patient aides.
Your right to information access
When it comes to making the right healthcare decisions, whether for you or your family, we know that those in our community have the power of choice. And because we respect that right, we offer access to a plethora of information designed to promote education on disease prevention, treatment and early detection. The publication you are reading now is just one example of how MidState provides you with access to information. It reached 77,500 homes in 2007.
Additionally, our strong relationship with the Meriden Public Library affords us the ability to communicate necessary updates on our programs, services and events via their facility. The Library’s Family Health Information Center features current health literature that showcases MidState’s publications, brochures and other resources.
The Tremaine Resource Center, MidState’s medical and consumer health library, offers a broad range of services to support the needs of physicians, caregivers and area residents for recent and accurate medical and health information. The Center serviced 8,146 visitors and responded to 796 requests in 2007. Its free services make it a prime health resource for our community.
To further our community’s right to access information, MidState also maintains a website for public viewing of information related to the hospital, as well as serving as a point of access for physician referrals and reliable health information. Significant enhancements were made over the last year that created an entirely new design complete with interactive features. For those interested, the website also features several e-newsletters that visitors can register to receive.
Delivering care where it’s convenient for you
Since 1979, senior citizens have turned to MidState’s LaPlanche Clinic at the Meriden Senior Center for preventative care. The Gerontological nurse who staffs the clinic provides group education and individual counseling on exercise, nutrition, stroke, pain management, heart health, arthritis, healthy lifestyles and more. Seniors can also receive screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. In 2007, MidState partnered with the Cheshire Senior Center to make these services available to a more widespread population. Entitled “The Nurse is In,” the program has also been replicated at the Southington Senior Center in June 2008.
We listen to what you have to say
In order to continue to meet the growing needs in our communities, we must continually assess what we are doing and how we can make it better. One of the ways we stay abreast of the healthcare needs in our community is through a well-established forum known as our Community Advisory Council. Membership of the Community Advisory Council is comprised of representatives from various area agencies, businesses, and organizations. The appointed members meet quarterly and have the opportunity to connect with hospital administration and other key leaders. Through the Community Advisory Council, MidState is able to identify health education opportunities, create new health programs and services, build relationships with key opinion leaders and gain a global understanding of healthcare in our community.
Similarly, MidState developed the Business Advisory Council several years ago that invites representatives of various small, medium and large-sized businesses to quarterly meetings. At these meetings, discussions center on how the hospital can better provide for the health-related needs of the workforce and collaborate with businesses to provide the most effective health education.
Our overwhelming dedication to connect with our communities exists in all aspects of our operations. It can be seen by patients who are receiving care, by families who observe that care, and equally by those in the community who do not have a direct tie to MidState. For the past 106 years, we have kept alive the commitment to see our communities thrive and prosper. It is a commitment that is shared by all, and one that will remain a top priority.