Ascension Wisconsin’s recently announced a $1 million pledge to the Racine Community Health Center (RCHC).
“On behalf of Ascension Wisconsin, we are thrilled to be the first health system to support the Racine Community Health Center, which will provide essential access to residents who need it most,” said Bernie Sherry, Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Wisconsin, and Senior Vice President, Ascension. “For nearly 150 years, our team at Ascension All Saints Hospital has been serving this community, with a special focus on those who are living in poverty and are vulnerable. This pledge allows us to collaborate with others and extend our charism beyond our four walls to bring health and healing to more people.”
The $1 million pledge, payable in increments of $200,000 over five years, is the first private sector contribution to the RCHC and is a major step forward in ensuring the center will open in the summer of 2020. Paired with $50,000 contributions each from the City of Racine, Racine County, and Gateway Technical College, the RCHC has raised $350,000, or more than 50 percent, of the $650,000 goal to open.
The creation of the RCHC demonstrates a major commitment from the highest level of civic, community and business leaders toward finding more efficient and cost-effective ways to deliver healthcare and reduce emergency room visits for residents. The model of service delivery as a freestanding location will offer primary care, case management, health education and behavioral health in the most underserved neighborhoods.
Bernie was joined in the announcement by Racine Mayor Cory Mason, Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, Racine Unified School District (RUSD) Superintendent Eric Gallien, PhD, RCHC Board of Directors President Shebaniah Muhammad, and representatives of Gateway Technical College, as well as President of Ascension All Saints Hospital Kristin McManmon and Ascension Wisconsin Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Services Reggie Newson.
“I am extremely grateful to Ascension Wisconsin for their commitment to the health of our community. Their dedication over the last 18 months in working with our team to bring this center to life will benefit our residents for years to come. Their generosity puts us in a great position to be able to improve access to healthcare for city and county residents,” Mason said. “As a community, we know low-income and underserved populations in the city and county have faced major challenges in accessing healthcare. With this support from Ascension Wisconsin, we are one step closer to opening the Racine Community Health Center at Julian Thomas Elementary School. This pledge will be a catalyst to create more access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, close healthcare disparity gaps, and offer healthier lifestyle options for our residents.”
The vision for the RCHC was to be designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Due to an unexpected number of applications, the RCHC did not meet the threshold to qualify this year. Nonetheless, the city remains committed to the RCHC and is confident that moving forward with its opening could improve the chances of receiving the FQHC designation later in 2020, as more federal funding becomes available.
“We are deeply appreciative of Ascension’s contribution to the Racine Community Health Clinic and their commitment to serving Racine County residents. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Ascension and many other partners, our community is taking major steps forward toward greater access to health care for students, families and residents,” Delagrave said.
“Gateway Technical College is a proud partner with the city to strengthen the health and wellness of all citizens. The support from Ascension serves as a beacon of light for a brighter future for all of us,” Albrecht said.
Racine Unified School District has supported the center by physically locating it in Julian Thomas Community School, which is made possible through a collaboration between the United Way of Racine County and RUSD. The district has committed Community Program and Services Fund (Fund 80) revenues to remodel a 5,000-square-foot space in the school building. This commitment affords the city the opportunity to provide services at a community school location, ensuring that students, families and residents receive increased access to healthcare services while making the school the center of the neighborhood. Construction is underway with an estimated completion later this spring.
“RUSD is committed to partnerships that produce outcomes that improve student learning, build stronger families and ensure healthier communities. The RCHC will allow not only students and their families but the entire community access to essential resources needed to live a healthier life,” Gallien said.
“As President of the Board of Directors, I want to express our gratitude for the partnership and support we have received from Ascension. Their financial commitment puts us on track to open this summer, however, they have been a trusted partner and advisor since we began this process, and we appreciate their continued investment in serving the residents of Racine,” Muhammad said.
