It’s been one year since the opening of the Fairview Community Health and Wellness Hub and the M Health Fairview Center for Community Health Equity. Alongside our trusted partners, we continue to offer a range of critical healthcare and community services.
The vision of the hub and center is being realized. One year in we have a lot to celebrate.
- The M Health Fairview Center for Community Health Equity is advancing three social determinants of health initiatives: Food is Medicine, Housing is Health, and Connection is Cure. In addition, the center is convening conversations and bringing together community partners from around the country and the world in the hub Event and Education Center — more than 100 events and partner meetings have been held.
- Ebenezer Senior Services opened Daybreak, an adult day program, providing high-quality care and companionship for seniors while their caregivers are at work, and Integrated Care & Rehab offering transitional, complex medical, and memory care.
- Minnesota Community Care provided nearly 6,500 patient visits and opened a pharmacy on the main level of the hub, one of the only retail pharmacies in downtown St. Paul.
- Nearly 100,000 pounds of food are processed through the hub each week between Fairview, The Sanneh Foundation, and Second Harvest Heartland. Food is sourced from partnerships with small, local BIPOC farms. A youth workforce development program offers paid work experience to 20-25 youth per week.
- Fairview Frontiers, our internal research team, has engaged more than 700 patients, many from underrepresented communities, in four research studies including wearable devices and new technologies.
- M Health Fairview Mental Health & Addiction Services provided outpatient care within the hub and cared for patients in more than 9,000 visits during the first half of 2023.
- We partnered with local artists to uplift organizational and local history by adding welcoming and inclusive visuals into the hub’s environment, including a large mural created by local artist Tomás Araya, who emigrated to the United States from Chile in 2018.
- M Health Fairview, The Sanneh Foundation, and Minnesota Community Care, along with donations from Cub Foods, hosted a turkey give-away, including a community resource fair, flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic, wellness services, treats, and warm beverages — nearly 180 households received 50 lbs. or more of food to celebrate the holidays.
“The vision for the Fairview Community Health and Wellness Hub is for it to be a space for wellness and community connection. I believe we are living out that vision and I’m proud of all that we’ve accomplished at the hub in one year’s time.”
- James Hereford, Fairview President and CEO
Anniversary celebration
To recognize this milestone, our Community Advancement team hosted an array of interactive programming and immersive experiences that offered a look into the work being done at the hub. Each day guests could also participate in hub tours and a BIPOC vendor market and art fair.
Hub anniversary program, focus on mental health and substance use disorders
Community partners gathered to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the hub and recognize the shared commitment to the health and wellbeing of our neighbors. Watch the brief program
In the afternoon, a mental health and substance use panel discussion was held. Guests also participated in a naloxone (opioid overdose reversal medication) education session and kit packing volunteer event for the Steve Rummler HOPE Network.
Food is Medicine immersion
During the morning session, local experts shared insights into the profound impact of our Food is Medicine initiative on community vitality. Participants were invited to help with meal kit packing and enjoy lunch — a dish from one of our latest rounds of meal kits.
After lunch a panel discussed topics from innovative culinary practices to community-driven initiatives. Participants also toured the food hub to get a first-hand look at operations.
Take charge of your health
Wednesday was dedicated to our partners and the health of our vibrant community. Guests participated in impactful wellness programming, preventative health activities such as blood pressure checks and flu vaccinations, and connected with our esteemed hub and community partners.
The afternoon was dedicated to the 2023 M Health Fairview Community Impact Summit. This annual convening engages M Health Fairview Community Advisory Committee members and community partners in sharing community impact highlights and provides opportunities for network building. Participants heard highlights from the first year of the center, participated in group discussions, and listened to a moderated panel discussion about building trust to advance health and health equity.