Improving Lives Through Partnership
In addition to our close relationship and connection with the United Methodist Church (UMC), Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has a rich history in building and celebrating faith-based community partnerships with faith-based organizations throughout the region. The Congregational Health Network (CHN) is a collaborative partnership between Methodist and Mid-South congregations. Educators conduct health needs assessments and provide evidence-based chronic disease self-management education plus other sources for health education.
Congregational Health Network
CHN Academy
The main educational vehicle of the CHN is called the CHN Academy, a broad menu of classes offered free to community members in order to increase knowledge, awareness, and even skills related to healthcare needs and community interventions. Classes are usually 12-14 hours and cover topics such as congregational care and visitation, navigating the healthcare system, managing chronic disease, and planning for end of life, to name a few.
CHN with the MLH Cancer Institute
CHN created an educational series called “Spotlight on Cancer” that connects community members with cancer doctors, experts, and professionals who can educate them on awareness, prevention, and treatment. We also work with churches to set up screening opportunities, including the utilization of our mobile mammography unit that increases access to breast cancer screenings.
CHN and COVID-19 Vaccine Access Program
This project was formed with a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. During the pandemic, with the community needing access to the life-saving COVID vaccine, we worked directly with churches to set up community vaccine events where people could get the vaccine along with education about COVID safety and even treatment resources. Altogether, this program led to over 4000 community vaccinations.
For more information, contact Dr. Jonathan Lewis.
MLH Sunday
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (MLH) Sunday is a day in which we invite congregations to specifically pray for our mission, vision and values. For more than 100 years, we have remained true to our faith-based mission to provide high-quality, cost-effective, patient- and family-centered care in a manner which supports the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. From our United Methodist origins to the hundreds of partner congregations in our CHN, we have always sought to live out our Methodist calling through faithful service and partnership with Christ’s church. Methodist Sunday serves as a day to celebrate the strong relationship between the healthcare system and local faith communities. The Methodist team has prepared special video messages, bulletin inserts and selected Scripture readings that congregations can use in their Sunday services.
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