LaCrystal Gordon, DNP, RN, Market CNO | Haywood Regional Medical Center
LaCrystal Gordon, DNP, RN, Market CNO | Haywood Regional Medical Center
Haywood Regional Medical Center is conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to better understand the health needs of Haywood County. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving local health professionals, community organizations, and other stakeholders. It is aimed at creating a roadmap for a healthier community by identifying areas needing improvement.
The assessment will collect and analyze data on the community's overall health to identify factors negatively affecting health and assess the availability of resources. The hospital last conducted a CHNA three years ago. The current assessment is expected to be completed in May, with findings shared with the community.
Chris Brown, RN, CEO of Haywood Regional Medical Center, stated, “Guided by the results of this important community assessment and the progress we’ve made since the last CHNA, we will soon have a more comprehensive understanding of the health needs of our community. This will help us focus our efforts and resources where they can make the greatest impact as we continue working toward our mission of making communities healthier.”
The CHNA will combine new data with information from local, state, and federal public health sources. This comprehensive approach aims to identify strategies for health improvement. In June, community focus groups and surveys will be used to gather direct input from residents, healthcare providers, and hospital staff. This feedback will help set priorities for health initiatives.
Brown emphasized, “The survey will give us a clearer view of health concerns as experienced and perceived by the people who live and work in Haywood County.”
The data collection and analysis are being conducted with Strata, a research partner. This partnership will aid the hospital’s leadership and board of trustees in refining services in line with community needs.
Following data collection, a Community Health Summit will be organized to present the findings and engage the public in planning health improvements. Brown remarked, “As we demonstrated with our last CHNA, this process is not just about producing a report. It’s about creating an actionable plan that drives real progress in the health and well-being of our community.”
Residents of Haywood County can access the survey at MyHaywoodRegional.com/community-health-needs-assessment.
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