How VCU Health Hub at 25th and the School of Nursing work together to serve the Richmond's East End community

Written by Caitlin Hanbury

Located on the corner of Nine Mile Road and North 25th Street in Richmond's East End, VCU Health Hub has offered an innovative combination of community engagement and health promotion services since opening in May 2019. Ta.

With a mission to improve health outcomes for the East End community, Health Hub staff collaborates with a wide range of partners to provide free services such as care navigation and coordination, legal and housing assistance, food and transportation access, and wellness. provided to residents. Education and health programs.

At the heart of the Health Hub's success is its partnership with the Mobile Health and Wellness Program (MHWP), a community engagement initiative of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing.

With a shared mission to serve the community, MHWP and Health Hub have forged a partnership that dates back to the Hub's founding. Through this partnership, the Hub will gain valuable nursing expertise and talent to deliver the program, and MHWP will create a community health learning site where students can learn how to provide culturally appropriate and comprehensive care. Maintained.

This unique collaboration not only strengthened the existing Health Hub program, but also sparked new engagement solutions to address health disparities.

The VCU Health Hub, located on the 25th, serves residents of Richmond's East End. (Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

“Our partnership with the VCU School of Nursing and MHWP is extremely important as one of our anchor partners in providing a variety of services and programs not available to the East End community,” said Rich Killingsworth, MPH, executive director of the school. says Mr. VCU Health Hub on the 25th.

In a typical week, three nursing faculty and approximately 10 students working with MHWP form the core of the hub's vital programming, providing case management for participants living in nearby senior housing .

“I think this partnership is very necessary to provide a community-based experience for our faculty, staff, and students. They assist us in many ways in identifying the needs of other programs and partners that are important to the community, including initiatives,” Killingsworth said.

Developing tomorrow's medical providers at community care sites

The MHWP and Health Hub collaboration focuses on improving accessibility and overcoming various obstacles.

Joyce Carter, an East End resident and active participant in the Health Hub, shares how the available programs have positively impacted both her healthcare journey and overall health. I emphasized that Iruka.

“Thanks to Health Hub, I don't have to go to the doctor anymore because I can get certain things checked here and it's close to home. I enjoy the programs that Health Hub offers. I participate in MHWP, Fitness Warriors, Diabetes Prevention Program, etc.,” she said. .

The inclusive atmosphere fosters community among participants, and Carter hopes her friends can take advantage of that, too.

“I'm going to encourage my friends to come here,” she added.

While working with program participants on their own healthcare journeys, future nurses gain valuable real-world experience that will influence the rest of their careers.

In community health settings like Health Hub, students at all practice levels gain meaningful experience applying culturally competent care to meet the needs of community members. Kimberly Battle, Ph.D., RN, FNP-BC, clinical associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, holds weekly sessions with students at the hub as a participating faculty member for MHWP.

“By participating in this intense, community-based clinical experience with both prelicensure and advanced nursing students, we will explore the importance of health promotion, health, and the social determinants of health that impact health. “We really value sharing the importance of teaching directly to students” – in particular, as a member of the Food and Nutrition Division of the Mobile Health & Wellness Program, working on a research division developing prescription generation programs ” Battle explained.

Genevieve Beaird, Ph.D., RNC-OB, CNE, clinical associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, has seen first-hand the benefits of teaching students in a community health setting like Health Hub.

“When we work with individuals in hospitals and clinics, we are essentially on 'our' turf. “I feel like I have a deeper understanding of the challenges that people face outside the four walls of the healthcare system,” she explained. “You can share these stories with your students… [to] We help people think more deeply about the challenges they will face in their future practice. ”

Providing comprehensive care to Richmond residents

Nursing is based on a holistic approach, considering not only an individual's physical health, but also the mental, emotional, and environmental factors that influence their overall well-being. The Health Hub provides an environment where practitioners can use and model their complete skill set.

“I value the opportunity to work with individuals within the context of their lives. We are able to provide the time and space to address a wide range of needs, and we are able to provide truly meaningful experiences for individuals and communities. It can generate support,” Beard said.

Dr. Kimberly Battle, FNP-B.C., says that by participating in community-based programs, students learn how health outcomes are influenced by the intersection of health promotion, health, and social determinants of health. It says it will help you understand. (Tyler Trumbo, MCV Foundation)

Modeling nursing practice in a hub-like environment helps students develop an early and keen sense of what they encounter in practice and how to creatively address or address the root causes that impact health outcomes. Helpful.

“Overall, my skills as a health hub educator and provider have sharpened. We are there to serve the community, so we are able to You can't predict what specific needs you'll have or what situations will present themselves in the health hub.'' Battle Description.

The work of the VCU Health Hub and School of Nursing is a testament to the winning combination of collaboration and community-driven change.

“Without question, the Hub and the VCU School of Nursing work together when it comes to innovative learning, community-based experiences, professional education, continuing education, development, and leadership skills. We are committed to this mission. We are honored to share this and work with the VCU School of Nursing to create significant change and impact on Richmond’s East End,” Killingsworth said.

Learn more about VCU Health Hub at 25th, Richmond East End's health education and wellness activity center.

Learn how VCU Health is addressing barriers and creating opportunities for our neighbors to live healthy lives.