Improving the Health of the Community

The Community Health Department of St. Luke's Hospital continues to strive to achieve its mission of partnering with the community to increase health awareness, improve the health status of the community and encourage appropriate access to health services. The Bethlehem Partnership for a Healthy Community and St. Luke's mobile health units, HealthStar I and HealthStar II, have been the primary venues for achieving this mission.

The Department and its programs have received numerous awards including the 1999 HAP Achievement Award for the Dental Initiative which utilizes HealthStar II to bring dental services to those in need. This same program also received the National Association of Counties -- 2000 Act of Caring Award and the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists Association 2000 Outstanding Service to the Community Award. Additionally, the Asthma Initiative was awarded the 1999 Nathan H. Heiligman Public Service Award from the American Lung Association.

The Bethlehem Partnership for a Healthy Community was established on May 1, 1996 through the initiative of the St. Luke's Board of Trustees. The partnership is a collaborative initiative of more than 60 local business, government, educational and community organizations which share responsibility to fulfill the mission to improve the health status and quality of life of our community. St. Luke's provides significant resources to help participating groups work together to solve problems, but it is a true partnership, "owned" by the participating members.