Saint Francis Hospital Receives Grant from Connecticut Health Foundation
May 27, 2025Categories: Awards and Recognition
Saint Francis Hospital was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Connecticut Health Foundation which will fund the evaluation of the effectiveness of Community Health Workers in improving health outcomes of patients with unmanaged chronic conditions by integrating Community Health Workers into Primary Care practices. The Food as Medicine program will be the strategy within clinical and social care program used to improve health outcomes of patients who screen for social drivers of health and have uncontrolled chronic conditions.
The grant from the Connecticut Health Foundation will evaluate the Food as Medicine program's advanced Community Health Worker Services and Community Care Coordination.
Designed in partnership with clinical and community stakeholders, the Food as Medicine program will serve patients with uncontrolled hypertension who are receiving care at Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group Primary Care practices in Hartford. Referred by their providers, eligible participants will receive coordinated care from Community Health Workers (CHWs) with ongoing primary care provider supervision.
“At Trinity Health Of New England, we are redefining the role of Community Health Workers to meet the evolving needs of our patients and communities,” said Carolyn Alessi, Regional Director, Community Health and Well-Being, Trinity Health Of New England. “By expanding their focus to include support for chronic conditions, we are enhancing the care experience and fulfilling our commitment to whole-person care. The evaluation, made possible by the Connecticut Health Foundation Grant, will help demonstrate the value CHWs bring as trusted members of the care team.”
To ensure patients sustain their health improvements after completing the program, Saint Francis has developed strong partnerships with local partners to help patients access community-based resources and healthy food hubs in their neighborhoods. Findings from the program’s evaluation will be shared with the Food as Medicine program’s Steering Committee members, including patients, the Hartford Health Initiative, Healthy Hartford Hub Community Action Taskforce, Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group primary care providers, Saint Francis Community Health Workers, and the University of Saint Joseph, who will monitor continuous improvement and create a shared learning and innovation environment.
“We are truly grateful for the Connecticut Health Foundation’s support of our patients and the Food as Medicine program,” said Timothy R. Stanton, Regional Vice President of Philanthropy, Trinity Health Of New England. “Our partnership reflects our shared commitment to rigorous evaluation of our services, adoption of best practices, and maintaining the highest quality of care for all patients, including the most vulnerable.”