Memorial Healthcare System Honored with 2008 Sapphire Award

Monday, December 15 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


(Jacksonville, Fla.) —
The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF), recently announced its 2008 Sapphire Award honorees. Among them was Memorial Healthcare System for its innovative Health Intervention with Targeted Services Program – or “HITS Program.” The award was for $100,000.

The HITS Program strategically links the uninsured to a medical home, which is defined as a regular source of ongoing care. During the last two years, the HITS Program has touched the lives of 4,000 persons in the South Broward County community and linked 725 persons to a medical home. It has linked 225 persons to Medicaid providers and more than 500 persons to Memorial’s Primary Care Program, which offers primary and preventive services at three conveniently located centers. The goal of this program is to ensure that 100% of program participants are assessed for health insurance coverage and understand the importance of establishing a medical home.

Memorial Healthcare System is the public, non-profit healthcare provider serving South Broward County. The healthcare system’s mission is to provide safe, quality, cost-effective, patient and family-centered care regardless of their ability to pay, with a goal of improving the health status of the community it serves. Among its facilities are Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital South, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hospital West, Memorial Hospital Miramar, Memorial Hospital Pembroke and Memorial Manor Nursing Home.For more information, visit www.mhs.net.

Established in 2005, The Sapphire Award recognizes and rewards nonprofit community health programs that have demonstrated success and high merit and have a record of improving the health of their community through measurable outcomes.

The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida is a separate, philanthropic affiliate of BCBSF incorporated in the state of Florida. The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, and its parent, BCBSF, are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information on The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, please visit its web site at www.bluefoundationfl.com.

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