Hospital’s "Community Health Access Program" Receives Statewide Award

The Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association recognizes the hospital’s EMS team for their dedication to the overall improvement of the community’s health.

Christian Hospital’s Community Health Access Program (CHAP) has received the 2016 Community Service Award from the Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association (MEMSA) to recognize the hospital’s CHAP team for making north St. Louis County a better place to live through their hard work and dedication to the overall improvement of the community’s health. The award was presented July 27 at the MESMA annual meeting in Branson, Missouri. 

Through education, guidance, treatment and resources, the CHAP team is a proven leader in developing the health and overall quality of life in its patients and their families. CHAP was introduced in February 2014 to connect people with the appropriate medical care and needed resources at the right time to reduce unnecessary 911 calls and emergency room visits, as well as decrease hospital re-admissions. To date, CHAP has touched over 10,000 lives, navigated more than 8,600 patients away from 911 systems and the emergency department, and connected more than 630 people to primary care providers or medical homes. 

“We take a holistic approach with our patients to ensure not only their medical needs are met, but also their daily living needs such as food, shelter, transportation and more,” says Shannon Watson, APP, CHAP community health supervisor. “Our focus is helping people navigate through the health care system, improve population health and the overall experience of receiving care. Among the 150 patients identified as high utilizers and enrolled in CHAP, we had a 63 percent reduction in emergency utilization and a 54 percent decrease in admissions. We’re honored and humbled to be recognized statewide by MEMSA as a program that is really making a difference to fill those gaps in health care and create a healthier community.” 

MEMSA is a nonprofit professional association committed to high-quality emergency medical services across Missouri. Since 1983, MEMSA has provided leadership in education, training, and pre-licensing EMT and EMT-P (paramedic) practical testing as well as legislation. MEMSA provides a forum for EMS professionals to accomplish common goals that ensure quality EMS care is delivered statewide. MEMSA members are actively involved in collaborative efforts to achieve these and other goals.

“I am amazed at the successes for our patients facing some of the most complex medical, social and economic challenges,” says Brian Froelke, MD, CHAP medical co-director. “The novel approaches that CHAP has developed are truly changing the face of emergency medical services across the country, and this recognition truly validates the successes of our work.” 

Pictured at the MESMA Award presentation, from left: Ruby Mehrer, MESMA president; Christian Hospital CHAP advanced practice paramedics Michelle Moffett, Katie Eisenbeis and Jenny Rieker; Amanda Phelps, CHAP resource coordinator; Rebecca Poindexter, CHAP manager; Brian Froelke, MD, CHAP medical co-director; and Les Jobe, Missouri Bureau of EMS chief

Not pictured: Jennifer Cordia, CH chief nurse executive; Tiffany McNair, CHAP resource coordinator; Phil Moy, MD, CHAP medical co-director; Tom Saggio, CHAP director; and Shannon Watson, CHAP community health supervisor