enFocus understands that healthcare is essential to keeping a pulse on the economic development of a region. Health systems and public health programs allow individuals access to care and services, while also providing employment opportunities and driving economic growth.
Our healthcare sector includes projects that advance Fellow skills in data collection and analysis. Through research and engagement, we are understanding how to help expand healthcare resources within our communities. Two recent projects working with healthcare sponsors exemplify the work Fellows complete within our healthcare sector. Both projects focused on data-driven solutions to sustain healthcare initiatives in the South Bend-Elkhart region.
The first project, completed by Fellow Rosannah Mack, worked with Beacon Health to coordinate data collection and reporting efforts for a rural community’s opioid response consortium in Marshall County. Not only did Rosannah assist in the development and facilitation of the consortium and workgroup meetings, but she also requested, surveyed, collected, consolidated, and submitted required Performance Improvement Measurement System (PIMS) data from organizations providing direct services to substance use disorder clients.
Rosannah reflects on her work with Beacon Health and recalls the stories she collected from substance use disorder survivors. She shares, “These stigma reducing stories, along with coordinating partner data, will assist federal, state, and community stakeholders in supporting future substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery programs in our region.” Rosannah’s work will continue to guide the care of residents as her two-year enFocus Fellowship comes to an end.
Listening to community needs also directed Alexia Velazquez’s project work with Indiana University of South Bend. Her project work engaged leaders from healthcare, higher education, K-12 education, and economic development toward designing a regional healthcare talent partnership. Focused on talent attraction and retention, regional partners have joined together to understand the direction of their collaborative efforts to create a sustainable pipeline for healthcare talent in the region.
Alongside several community partners, Alexia put listening at the heart of her work. She interviewed leaders across the community to understand the desire to grow healthcare talent. The facilitation of two collaborative summits and individual interviews revealed the need to design a framework for a successful healthcare partnership. Research of exemplary healthcare partnerships across the country was conducted and found a gap of 12,000 healthcare professional positions in the region. Now, they look forward to advancing steps towards a successful plan for the future.
Alexia shares the interpersonal interactions she had that resulted in data-driven solutions. She shares, “I spoke with various representatives to better understand opportunities and resources in the region to strategize focus areas for a steering committee to address. Through my challenging project work, I had the chance to connect with community leaders to advance the second biggest industry in the region.”
In our ever-evolving landscape, enFocus recognizes that healthcare is not just a vital component for resident health, but a lifeline for the region’s economic growth. These projects demonstrate the transformative power of data-driven solutions and highlight the importance of community collaboration. By listening to the voices of local partners, our Fellows have provided additional opportunities to expand resources, address challenges, and advance the second largest industry in the area. The commitment of Fellows like Rosannah and Alexia demonstrate our dedication to making a lasting impact on the South Bend-Elkhart region.