Health Leads Expansion Grant

Health Leads Expansion Grant

Organization: The Physicians Foundation

Recipient: Health Leads

Award Date: May 10, 2011

Award Amount: $1,000,000

Status: One-time grant for organizational expansion (awarded)

Geographic Scope: National (six cities across the U.S. at time of award)

Focus Areas:

Innovative healthcare delivery models

Support for vulnerable families

Physician-patient relationship enhancement

Resource connection services (food, housing, employment, utilities)

Project Description: Funding to support expansion of Health Leads' innovative healthcare delivery model where physicians can "prescribe" food, housing, or other critical resources to vulnerable patients. College volunteers in clinic waiting rooms connect patients to these resources.

Program Impact:

Nearly 60% of Health Leads patients secure at least one critical resource within 90 days

All patients receive ongoing follow-up until needs are met

At time of award, Health Leads operated in 22 pediatric and prenatal clinics, newborn nurseries, emergency rooms, and community health centers

660 college volunteers trained and deployed annually

Nearly 6,000 low-income patients and families served annually

How Funds Were Used:

Expansion of operational capabilities

Development of information technology infrastructure for patient outcome tracking

Hiring of additional program managers and staff

Deepening engagement with physicians and clinic partners

Post-Award Results: Since receiving Foundation funding, Health Leads served 2,600+ patients, achieving 60%+ increase over prior year; launched evaluation partnership with Mayo Clinic Center; rolled out new client database for outcome tracking

Contact: Rebecca Onie, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Health Leads