Community Impact
Community engagement at UMC
University Medical Center New Orleans has always stood beside our community’s most vulnerable patients – not only within our hospital walls, but wherever care is needed most.
Our commitment to serving every patient is deeply rooted in our history. Nearly 300 years ago, Charity Hospital was founded on the belief that quality care should be available to all, regardless of circumstance. That same Spirit of Charity lives on today at University Medical Center. It is our privilege to treat the most vulnerable patients in the community we call home.
Advancing community impact with the UMC HEALS Initiative
Through the UMC HEALS Initiative, we continue our mission by reaching patients where they are, connecting them to resources, support and compassionate care that can change lives. We are dedicated to caring for the whole community, especially those facing the greatest challenges. By expanding access and supporting patients beyond the bedside, we are helping create a healthier future for New Orleans and the Gulf South.
Guiding pillars
Care: Empower preventative care, access to healthy living resources, and whole-person wellness.
- Food access initiatives (hospital market, produce prescriptions, nutrition support)
- Health education programs (chronic disease prevention, behavioral health, heart health, lifestyle classes)
- Preventive screenings and services
Culture: Enhancing dignity, trust, empowerment, and pathways for long-term stability.
- Workforce pathways and community employment initiatives
- Stakeholder engagement and community leadership development
- Culturally responsive patient education and outreach
Community: Building partnerships and addressing structural barriers that impact health outcomes.
- Transportation support programs to improve access to care
- Community partnerships with food banks, public health agencies, nonprofits, schools, and others
- Neighborhood outreach and population health initiatives
