Community Collaboration Promotes Healthy Births & Healthier Families
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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

Community Collaboration Promotes Healthy Births & Healthier Families

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August 11, 2016

Over 250 people came out August 6 to participate in the HaRUNbee Walk/Run. The event, organized by The Milwaukee Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families (LIHF) promoted wellness by encouraging families to stay healthy and fit.  

The event was sponsored this year by Froedert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Monique Graham, Director of Community Engagement shares why the organization supported the successful event.

Q. What inspired Froedtert & MCW health network to sponsor the HaRUNBee walk/run? 

Research shows that clinical care only addresses about 20% of an individual’s overall health needs. There are so many other factors that determine a person’s health status. We’re deeply committed to improving the health of the community not only when they come through our doors, but outside our doors as well. Being a part of an event like the HaRUNbee walk/run is one way we are able to do that.   

Q. Do you have a personal connection to the Harumbee neighborhood?

Yes! Being a Milwaukee native, I’m proud to be associated with an institution that is making strides to go out and impact the health of our community. I’ve sat on the board of directors for Northcott Neighborhood House, a community resource right in the Harumbee neighborhood, offering services for the entire family-from computer classes a transitional job program for people who have been incarcerated, to a brand new arts program that connects youth with professionals to learn about music, production, dance, etc. 

In addition, my father LaMarr Franklin is the board president for the Historic King Drive BID. When you look at the work that has been done in and around the Harumbee neighborhood, we have a strong personal and professional connection. 

Q. The Walk/Run was put on to inform and prevent infant mortality. In what other ways is Froedtert involved in combating infant mortality in the Greater Milwaukee area?  

We have been a proud member of the Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families (LIHF), led by United Way, since its inception. Being Eastern Wisconsin’s only academic medical center allows us to provide breakthrough treatments that are generated, tested and ultimately made available for the community. At Froedtert, we have a maternal fetal care center offering specialized care for anyone who may be having pregnancy complications.

Additionally, we offer patients free education classes that coincide with OB visits such as pregnancy basics, caring for baby, breastfeeding, preparing for post-partum, parenthood, etc. We can also provide some things to get new moms started, like car seats, cribs, etc. All services offered for free as part of coming in for your regular OB visits. That includes the underinsured or uninsured; all are welcome. 

Q. Why is it important for companies or organizations to sponsor events like the HaRUNbee walk/run? 

At the end of the day, we know that we’ll make a greater impact on our community’s collective wellbeing by working together. Bringing together health systems, corporations, non-profits, support services, and community health resources allows us to address broad issues in an impactful way.  Collaboration is critical to driving positive health outcomes in our community. 

Check out the Media Coverage from HaRUNbee Walk/Run

Learn more about United Way’s Milwaukee LifeCourse Initiative for Healthy Families Collaborative.


About Froedert & Medical College

The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin regional health network is a partnership between Froedtert Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin. It comprises eastern Wisconsin’s only academic medical center, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee; and Community Memorial Hospital, Menomonee Falls, and St. Joseph’s Hospital, West Bend.  The health network also includes more than 2,000 physicians across 25 primary and specialty clinical locations representing the collaboration of Wisconsin’s largest multispecialty physician practice with a community-based physician group. 


 

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