Access to Care

Memorial Hermann offers increased access to healthcare through a team of Certified Community Health Workers (CHWs).

46% of Houston ER patients are treated for primary care related illnesses

Certified Community Health Workers are located within Memorial Hermann’s Emergency Rooms to connect patients with a medical home and additional public resources.

26% of all babies born in Harris County are born in a Memorial Hermann hospital.

MH is a partner in the Healthy Women Houston initiative, working to address the rising rate of maternal mortality and morbidity in the Houston area.

• A Certified Community Health Worker at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital works directly with Medicaid and uninsured/under-insured mothers during their inpatient, discharge, and post-delivery processes, facilitating a smooth transition out of the hospital and into their life with a new baby.

Affordable Specialty Care remains a need throughout the Houston area

Memorial Hermann OneBridge Health Network works to improve access to specialty care for low-income, uninsured patients. Combining donated physician care, hospital services, medication, transportation assistance, ancillary services, and care coordination, ultimately improves patient outcomes.

• OneBridge Health Network is based on the willingness of physicians and other providers to donate comprehensive quality health care to medically underserved individuals.

11% of the Houston population are diabetic

An estimated 28% of our population have prediabetes - a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

• Memorial Hermann Certified Community Health Workers provide health literacy education to the 88% of the population identified by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy as health illiterate.

Educational offerings include:

• Accessing and Navigating the Health System
• Understanding Your Health Care Coverage
• Tips for Talking with your Healthcare Provider
• Diabetes Education and Management (6-week course)
• Controlling your Hypertension
• Taking Care of your Heart and Avoiding a Stroke

Community Connections Remain Paramount

The Memorial Hermann Community Resource Center at Southwest is located inside Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital professional building. The Center is designed to offer MH Southwest Hospital Emergency department, onsite physicians and care managers, as well as community members with: accessing community resources, some of which will provide scheduled services on site; completing eligibility applications; and, receiving information and education on public health and social services. To date, specific services include: assistance enrolling in public health insurance; applications for public social services (SNAP, WIC, etc.); and referrals to the onsite partners that have begun to provide weekly schedules at the Center (Houston Food Bank, area Federally Qualified Health Centers, Houston Volunteer Lawyers, Behavioral Health, and prescriptive assistance). As we work with our clients and community, we are continually assessing the need and opportunities for new partners. The goal is for collaboration with patients, the community, and service providers to result in upstream factors and efforts. Click here for more information.