Beebe Healthcare
LEWES (June 7, 2024) – Beebe Healthcare thanked U.S. Sen. Tom Carper and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (both D-Del.) on Friday for their support of community outreach efforts for the people of Sussex County.
Gathering at the Specialty Surgical Hospital on the Abessinio Health Campus, the Congressional Delegation was able to tour the Community Mobile Health Clinic and Sprinter Van that currently make-up the healthcare system’s mobile health “fleet.” Beebe also provided an update on the Community Harm Reduction Outreach Program, both of which received federal funds and aim to reach the far corners of Delaware’s rural communities.
“These programs directly impact Beebe’s ability to expand access to care and resources for our friends, families, and neighbors throughout Sussex County. They increase access to our community to provide appropriate levels of care in different settings including outpatient, inpatient, and the community health setting. It is important for Beebe to meet our community where they are,” said Bill Chasanov, DO, MBA, Beebe’s Chief Health System Design Officer. “Beebe’s Community Mobile Health Clinic, Community Outreach team, and Behavioral Health team reach thousands of community members every year and help them find the resources they need.”
Beebe’s Community Mobile Health Clinic hit the road in late 2022 and has already participated in hundreds of community events, seeing thousands of patients who have access barriers to traditional healthcare. Operated collaboratively by Beebe’s Population Health, Community Outreach, and Behavioral Health teams, the Mobile Health Clinic aims to address the physical, social, and behavioral healthcare needs of people across Sussex County, with particular emphasis on care for under-resourced populations.
“I work with a super dedicated and educated team of managers, peer support specialists, nurses, and community health workers who have the amazing opportunity to do very meaningful work in Sussex County,” said Gwen Davis, FNP, PMHNP, a nurse practitioner on the Mobile Health Clinic. “We are able to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors who would otherwise not receive treatment and resources they need and deserve.”
Going hand in hand with the Mobile Health Clinic is the Community Harm Reduction Outreach Program, which addresses the challenges and needs of increased substance use and co-occurring disorders through the provision of evidence-based practices of prevention, treatment, recovery support, stigma reduction, and trauma informed care.
“I am thrilled we were able to deliver over $1.1 million for the Beebe Mobile Community Harm Reduction Van through the Congressionally Directed Spending Process,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “It’s not enough just to treat the problems plaguing our society today – we must also address the root causes. Beebe is taking that to heart here – the van reaches the far corners of Sussex County where transportation is a barrier to so many to getting treatment and preventative health care. Thank you to Beebe for being a model for our state and nation in addressing the needs of our underserved community members.”
Since the project began, the Beebe team has worked to:
- Decrease drug/opioid overdoses in Sussex County through development and expansion of programs and resources
- Increase the capacity for Harm Reduction programs and services by offering HIV, HCV, and STI screening, prevention education, and Narcan rescue kits
- Deliver substance abuse prevention programs to middle and high school age youth throughout Sussex County.
“Beebe Healthcare has long been a trusted partner in delivering critical health services and resources to folks who call Sussex County home,” said Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, member of the House Health Subcommittee. “I’m proud to have worked alongside Senators Carper and Coons to deliver over $1 million in federal dollars to help Beebe build out its Community Harm Reduction Program to continue that important work. Together, we’re helping to meet patients where they are and save lives.”
This investment in the Sussex County community by Beebe would not be possible without the millions in funding secured by Delaware’s Congressional Delegation from several years of Congressionally Directed Spending and Community Project Funding Grants.
“The greatest thing about Delaware is that we get to work so closely with our elected officials, and they truly know our needs and can work collaboratively with us to make a huge impact in the First State,” said Tom Protack, President, Beebe Medical Foundation. “I am very grateful to Sen. Carper and his many, many years of supporting us in our mission, and I want to wish him well in his retirement. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester has been a constant supporter and always reaching out to see how she can help! We are lucky to have such hands-on legislators.”
