UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER LAUNCHES UMC HEALS TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY HEALTH ACROSS GREATER NEW ORLEANS

New initiative expands access to food, education, chronic disease prevention and wellness resources through innovative community partnerships and launch of the Heart & Harvest Pantry

NEW ORLEANS –University Medical Center New Orleans (UMC) announced the launch of UMC HEALS, a comprehensive community health initiative designed to address the root causes of chronic illness and improve health outcomes across Greater New Orleans through access, education, prevention, and community collaboration. The hospital also unveiled the new Heart & Harvest Pantry, a hospital-wide food pantry created to support patients and families experiencing food insecurity.

UMC HEALS, which stands for Health Access, Education for Wellness, Advocacy and Equity, Lifestyle and Prevention, and Social Support, was developed in response to the hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment, a community-driven evaluation that identified some of the region’s most pressing health challenges. The initiative reflects UMC’s long-term commitment to advancing equitable, whole-person care throughout the communities it serves.

Supported by a coalition of healthcare, academic, nonprofit, government, and community partners, UMC HEALS is focused on addressing critical issues impacting the region, including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, behavioral health, food insecurity, health literacy, and cultural competency.

“At University Medical Center, we see every day how deeply factors like food access, education, preventive care, and social support impact the health of our community,” said Tom Patrias, CEO of University Medical Center New Orleans. “UMC HEALS represents a transformative step forward in how we care for the people of Greater New Orleans by addressing not only illness, but the underlying challenges that contribute to poor health outcomes in the first place. Through this initiative and the launch of the Heart & Harvest Pantry, we are bringing together healthcare providers, community organizations, educators, and advocates to create a more connected, compassionate, and proactive model of care.”

At the center of the initiative is the Heart & Harvest Pantry, an on-site community resource located inside UMC. The pantry serves as a hub for nutritious food access, education, and support services for patients and families facing food insecurity.

According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, one in five people in Orleans Parish experiences food insecurity, a challenge closely linked to chronic disease, poor health outcomes, and barriers to long-term wellness. Stocked by Second Harvest Food Bank, the Heart & Harvest Pantry will provide access to nutritious food, SNAP and WIC enrollment assistance, and wellness resources designed to help patients and families thrive.

"Food insecurity and chronic illness are deeply connected, and addressing one means addressing the other. UMC HEALS recognizes that, and the Heart & Harvest Pantry gives patients real, practical access to the food and resources they need to live healthier lives," said Jon Toups, President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank.

The Heart & Harvest Pantry and UMC HEALS initiative will launch in two phases.

Phase One begins later this month and integrates food insecurity screenings into patient care. Patients identified as needing support will receive referrals and direct access to pantry services and wellness resources.

Phase Two launches in July with the introduction of the UMC HEALS Healthy Lifestyle Cohorts, an innovative eight-week program focused on chronic disease prevention and management, developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association – Greater New Orleans. The first cohort will support patients living with diabetes, with future cohorts focused on hypertension, cancer, and behavioral health.

Participants will receive comprehensive, condition-specific support, including:

• Nutrition education led by registered dietitians
• Grocery store tours provided by Rouses Markets
• Hands-on cooking classes through the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine
• Fitness and wellness programming supported by Healthy Blue
• Produce prescriptions, community-based wellness coaching and peer engagement

Participants who complete at least six of the eight weeks will graduate from the program equipped with the tools, education, and ongoing support needed to make sustainable lifestyle changes.

Beyond the pantry and cohort model, UMC HEALS also includes workforce development pathways, behavioral health initiatives, community health screenings, wellness events, and expanded educational programming designed to connect patients with meaningful resources.

In addition, the Second Harvest Makin' Groceries Mobile Market will make its debut at UMC today, marking its first monthly stop onsite at the hospital. The market offers affordable, convenient fresh grocery items including produce, proteins, and shelf-stable goods. Hospital staff, patients, families, and community members are all invited to shop. The May 11 debut runs 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and the market will return the second Friday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“This is about meeting people where they are, removing barriers to wellness, and ensuring every individual and family has access to the resources and support they need to live healthier lives,” added Patrias.

The initiative is supported by a broad coalition of community partners, including the American Heart Association – Greater New Orleans, the City of New Orleans, Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine, Healthy Blue, the Louisiana Department of Health, LSU Health, Morrison Healthcare, the New Orleans Health Department, Rouses Markets, Second Harvest Food Bank, Split Second Foundation, Tulane School of Medicine, United Way, the USDA, and other community stakeholders committed to improving health outcomes across Greater New Orleans.

“Healthcare has long focused on prescribing medication, but lasting health starts by addressing the root causes of disease,” said Coretta LaGarde, Executive Director of American Heart Association – Greater New Orleans. Programs like the Heart & Harvest Pantry and UMC HEALS reflect a shift toward food as medicine, connecting patients with nutritious foods and education to improve outcomes and reduce chronic disease. This work in New Orleans is helping build a scalable model that prioritizes prevention and supports healthier communities, and we are proud to support it.”

University Medical Center is the only hospital in the Gulf South to simultaneously hold the region’s three highest national emergency care designations – Level I Trauma Center, Verified Burn Center, and Comprehensive Stroke Center. The hospital serves all patients regardless of their ability to pay and cares for some of the most vulnerable populations across Greater New Orleans.

Through UMC HEALS, University Medical Center and its partners are taking a united approach to addressing the longstanding health challenges impacting generations of New Orleans families by bringing together healthcare, education, nutrition, advocacy, and community support under one integrated model. UMC HEALS is helping create a healthier future for Greater New Orleans – one patient, one family, and one neighborhood at a time.