Sioux Center, Iowa — A northwest Iowa non-profit health center is taking its nurse health coaching service to the next level in establishing a Population Health Program.
Officials with Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center tell us that the project will focus on chronic disease care management and preventative health – both with its established patients and within the community.
To make the enhanced program possible, Promise has been awarded a $600,000 federal grant over three years from the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program of the Health Resources and Services Administration. The project will take effect on August 1.
Stephanie Van Ruler, who was hired two years ago as Promise’s first nurse health coach, will serve as the project director and has been promoted to the role of Population Health Program manager at the health center.
She says that Promise has long been committed to the long-term success of its patients. She says that the transition to a Population Health Program through the funding of the grant will provide a structured, team-based approach to chronic disease management and enhanced access for primary care and preventative care. The Population Health Program will place a focus on education to ensure services provided address language, cultural and socioeconomic barriers.
Promise says that the Population Health Program not only will increase and enhance the nurse health coaching provided to patients, but the project will expand outreach and education into the community.
Photo: Stephanie Van Ruler (photo provided by Promise Community Health Center)
