1999 Annual Report to the Community

Providing Good Help
Beyond the Walls of Tradition

In 1824, a group of Catholic women found a new way to address unmet healthcare needs in Paris, France. Long before the catch phrase, "thinking outside the box," the Sisters of Bon Secours were moving beyond the walls of tradition and ministering to the needs of the sick and dying in their homes. Today, in partnership with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, we continue to think outside the box. We address the broader social needs of Hampton Roads through active involvement with community agencies and organizations. Together, we develop innovative community based programs aimed at preventing health problems and promoting self-sufficiency and independence. Our values compel us to advocate for health coverage for all as we continue to work to improve access to medical services. We view healthcare as a fundamental human need, not a commodity, and we know that to heal the body, we must touch the soul.

The Parish Nurse Ministry
In its second year, the Parish Nurse Ministry has increased fourfold with more than 60 parish nurses on both the Southside and the Peninsula participating. The program enlists volunteer assistance from registered nurses in local churches of all denominations, who undergo a training program sponsored by Bon Secours. Their goal is to promote wellness through advocacy, education and empowerment. Bon Secours also works with Portsmouth church leaders on the Jeremiah Project, which combines resources to address needs of families on the road to self-sufficiency. For more information, call 398-CALL (2255).

Health Education / On-line and Off
We offer health education to our community in a variety of ways - from health screenings to on-line patient guides. The Bon Secours Mission Fund supports Healthy Pregnancy/Healthy Baby programs to teach new mothers how to nurture their newborns. Community lectures, in cooperation with physicians and staff, as well as free health screenings are just a few outreach activities. Thanks to support from our hospital foundations, we offer on-line medical information and patient guides on our website at www.bonsecourshamptonroads.com

Family Focus
Family Focus' primary goal is to prevent child abuse and neglect through primary and secondary prevention activities. These activities include support programs for parents, family bonding, playgroups, reduction of isolation, enhancing positive child management skills, family nurturing and parenting classes. There are four Family Focus sites: Grafton, Williamsburg, Peninsula YWCA and Stoneybrook/Lee Hall. Family Focus is co-funded and administered by Mary Immaculate Hospital and the Colonial Services Board. Additional funding is provided by a variety of grants which include the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation, Bon Secours Health System Mission Fund and in-kind support.

Children's Medical Security Insurance Program
Through a variety of outreach activities, efforts are being made to inform families about available health insurance for their children and to help them apply for coverage. CMSIP is a federally funded program that provides health insurance for children from birth to age 18 who are uninsured. Bon Secours is working with other community groups and providers to get as many qualified children as possible covered by this program by raising awareness and offering enrollment assistance. If you are interested in more information about this program or enrollment, call 398-CALL on the Southside or 886-6700 on the Peninsula.

School Based Asthma Program
Currently, asthma is the number one reason that children miss school. Based at Hunt Mapp Middle School in Portsmouth, the asthma program provides students with an on-site registered nurse who works with students in partnership with the school nurse, Portsmouth Sunshine Health Center, families and faculty in providing education and more support to help students manage their asthma effectively. The program's objectives are to educate students on the proper use of their asthma equipment and medications, help students reduce the number of absences from school because of asthma, and help reduce asthma emergencies by maintaining better control of asthma symptoms.

Bon Secours "On Your Side"
Bon Secours staff and volunteers embody the spirit of giving throughout the year, responding with enthusiasm to Coats for Kids and Operation School Supply, two of many community outreach projects done through WAVY-TV's Partners on Your Side. To support the partnership, our physicians volunteered to man phone lines and answer over 600 medical questions during a live prime time broadcast of "Docs on Call" last August. The Partnership program also supports many other community programs, including March of Dimes Walk America, the Jefferson Awards volunteer recognition, Hampton Roads Young Achievers recognition and many more.

• Costs in excess of reimbursement from State programs for services to the financially disadvantaged: $6.29 M
• Bad Debts at Cost: $9.13 M
• Costs in excess of reimbursement for services provided to Medicare program participants: $11.6 M
• Costs of services to other financially disadvantaged persons: $5.52 M
• Direct In-Kind services delivered by BSHR facilities including contributions of cash, equipment, supplies, and/or the paid time or employees: $.68 M
• Indirect Support contributed by BSHR to other qualified providers delivering needed services which do not have adequate sources of funding or payment: $.08 M
• Advocacy for causes specifically to promote human dignity and to protect human rights: $.08 M