Montana’s Migrant/Community Health Center (M/CHC) Staff Participate in Health Disparities Collaborative National Congress

Representatives from three Montana M/CHCs traveled to St. Louis to attend the BPHC National Congress for participants in the Cardiovascular I and Diabetes III Health Disparities Collaborative, which began in April, 2001. These Health Centers have all been successful in incorporating the Collaborative Care Model into their practices and, as a result, have seen improved health outcomes for their patients.

Community Health Partners (CHP) in Livingston sent four staff members, among them Office Manager Linda Hults, who reports “the conference provided a place to refuel” in their fourth year of Collaborative efforts. Their current focus is spread and sustainability of the care model; some of their goals now are to refine their registry database, increase patient education/self management, and further incorporate the care model into the clinic infrastructure. CHP also plans to add Asthma to their existing Diabetes and Cardiovascular Collaboratives. CHP received a BPHC award for Collaborative Achievement for their care of patients with cardiovascular disease.

The three attendees from Billings’ Deering CHC included Mary Lu Iverson, RN, MS, CFDS, who provided presentations on Community Linkages and Self-Management/Exercise Goals, two areas in which Deering has excelled after participating one year in a Diabetes Collaborative. Deering CHC received BPHC awards for Collaborative Achievement, and, for service to the underserved.

The Montana Migrant Council sent two representatives. Carol Townsend, MMC Executive Aide, found the sessions informative and diverse, including topics such as dental health and faith-based care. Townsend says that “the session on outreach tools within the community was especially helpful for us,” an agency serving migrant/seasonal workers and families in communities throughout Montana. The Migrant Council has just finished their first year in a Cardiovascular Collaborative, which they initiated in their year-round Billings and Fairview sites; they will now be focusing on spreading the care model to their seasonal sites. They received BPHC awards for decreasing health disparities, improving care to the underserved, and a Stellar Achievement Award for improved health outcomes in their patients. Townsend states that, through the Cardiovascular Collaborative, “We have definitely seen an improvement in our patients.”

For questions regarding the Health Disparities Collaboratives, contact: Jenifer Sheehy (jsheehy@mtpca.org), FNP,at the Montana Primary Care Association.