Baptist Health is a not-for-profit healthcare organization uniquely structured to understand, respond to and anticipate community needs. Our commitment to community benefit is considered vital to the continuation of Baptist Health’s mission “...to continue the healing ministry of Christ by providing accessible, quality health care services at a reasonable cost in an atmosphere that fosters respect and compassion.”
The Baptist Health comprehensive circle of care includes five nationally accredited hospitals, 43 primary care offices, more than 200 primary care and specialty physicians, as well as home health, behavioral health, pastoral care, occupational health, rehabilitation services and urgent care. Guided by a volunteer Board of engaged business, civic, health and social service leaders, Baptist Health is owned by the community — not by shareholders. Local governance ensures our accountability to the communities we serve.
It is incumbent on healthcare institutions that offer maternal care to develop strategies to transfer knowledge of newborn and infant development to community-based parent educators and newborn care providers. The first months of life present optimal timing of investment over the life-cycle. Economists have calculated that, for every dollar invested in early development of the child, society at large reaps at least eight dollars in return. (Cunha, 2010). The Newborn TOUCH Pilot Project offers a strategic approach for an effective transfer of knowledge from Baptist Health to community-based parent educators and newborn caregivers. This approach may affect a root cause of physical, socio-emotional and developmental issues that impact the growing child, the family and the community.
Chartrand Foundation funding will provide educational materials in support of the Newborn T.O.U.C.H. Pilot Project’s key aim: to translate research for evidence-based change into care practices for parent educators and newborn caregivers. Further impact of the Chartrand Foundation grant can be anticipated through linkage of The Newborn T.O.U.C.H. Pilot Project to the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. study: Children 1.2.3., an interdisciplinary effort to foster early learning success for children from birth to age 3.
1. Over 5,000 babies are born at a Baptist Health community hospital in Jacksonville every year—at Baptist Beaches, Baptist South or Baptist Medical Center downtown.
2. In 2010, Baptist Health invested $104.9 million in community benefit spending.
3. Baptist Health works in concert with over 40 collaborative partners and specific community health programs including schools, faith-based organizations, other health care providers, local government health programs, foundations and more — to achieve strategic community health goals.
Our Maternity Services at Baptist Health extend beyond our walls to community-based caregivers who support new families both before delivery and after leaving our hospital."
- Hugh Greene, President and CEO, Baptist Health
In supporting the Newborn TOUCH Pilot Project, The Chartrand Foundation has stepped forward to help bring research findings from healthcare into the community to benefit those who are involved in newborn development. The Chartrand Foundation is unique in its understanding that learning begins before birth."
- Hugh Greene, President and CEO, Baptist Health
